Image Source: Koshi Online
The Japan government requests to the residents of Tokyo and the surrounding areas use less electricity on Monday. This is only because the country is experiencing a heatwave, and supplies were not sufficient.
According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, power demand is to be “severe” this afternoon local time.
To prevent heat stroke, it is better to turn off extra lights while continuing to utilize air conditioning.
How Japan Government Asks Citizens to Turn Off Lights?
There was shortage of power supply for weeks as the temperatures rose high. But, while Isesaki, a city northwest of the capital, experienced a record 40.2C over the weekend, metropolitan Tokyo’s temperature climbed above 35C. Japan people got to experience the hottest temperature in the month of June.
In Japan, June ushers in the start of summer, with average highs falling below 30 degrees Celsius. As a result, the ministry predicted that by Monday afternoon, excess power generation capacity in Tokyo and eight neighboring prefectures would fall to 3.7 percent. According to it, a 3 percent buffer requires for a steady electricity supply.
In addition to “properly using air conditioning and hydration during hot hours,” the government advised people to switch off redundant lights for three hours starting at 15:00 Tokyo time (07:00 BST).
The ministry stated that the situation was “unpredictable” as temperatures rise, despite electrical suppliers attempting to enhance supply. It warned that the reserve margin would drop below the minimum necessary of 3 percent if there was a surge in demand and unexpected supply problems.
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Some nuclear power facilities were forced to cease operations in March. Meanwhile there was an earthquake in Japan’s northeast. Therefore, the country has experienced a limited supply of electricity.
An Effort to Reduce Carbon Dioxide
Officials have also decommissioned a number of outdated fossil fuel plants in an effort to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. These problems caused a power squeeze and a rise in electrical consumption. As a result, the Japanese government requested that businesses and households conserve as much electricity. The governement also requested to do this earlier in summer month.
NHK, a public broadcaster in Japan, told that 46 patients from Tokyo were admitted to hospitals. Because they believed to be heatstroke as of Sunday afternoon.
According to the report, a 94-year-old man in the nearby city of Kawagoe also died from the disease.
In response to energy crisis, Australian officials had previously asked New South Wales residents, including nation’s largest metropolis, Sydney, to turn off their lights. However, Australia’s wholesale energy market restrictions saw some changes late last week.
