Japan lifts blackout alert but supply is limited

TOKYO (AP) — The government of Japan lifted an alert of potential blackouts for the Tokyo region on Wednesday after climate conditions and conservation strategies improved, but the supply landscape still looks weak due to the lack of operation of several coal-fired thermo plants.

The shortage of electricity comes at a time when people used more energy to stay warm due to the snowfall and low temperatures on Tuesday, and after an earthquake last week caused several plants to stop generating electricity.

The Ministry of Economy and Industry lifted the alert of possible blackouts on Wednesday morning, after sunny weather allowed solar power generation to resume. However, the agency called for maintenance work to be maintained, as several coal-fired power plants will remain out of operation for a few months.

Although Japan has already set itself the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, it still relies heavily on fossil fuels.

While Japan is making progress in the development of renewable energy, the government is looking to reactivate more nuclear power plants, although major public safety concerns persist after the Fukushima disaster.

On March 16, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the northeastern coast of Japan, leaving four people dead, damaging buildings and causing blackouts in around 2 million homes in Tokyo and other areas.

A subsidiary of Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings said Tuesday afternoon that conservation efforts had largely eliminated the threat of blackouts.

Tokyo Haneda International Airport turned off some lights and some of the air conditioning in its terminals. Tokyo's SkyTree Tower canceled its night light show on Tuesday. Amusement parks and some companies used generators.

Tuesday's restrictions are thought to have been some of the worst since the government carried out scheduled blackouts in the Tokyo metropolitan area for 10 days following the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.