TOKYO, March 23 (BNA) Japan has raised a power supply warning for Tokyo and its surrounding areas as supplies stabilize, a day after the government warned of power outages in the wake of last week’s earthquake.
The warning was lifted at 11:00 JST (02:00 GMT), after the government issued an urgent call the day before to save energy, to which businesses and households responded by dimming lights and shutting down thermostats, according to Reuters.
Although Tokyo Electric Power Corporation (TEPCO), which supplies the capital and surrounding areas, warned that up to three million homes could be out of power on Tuesday evening, Japan managed to avoid any serious blackouts.
With thermal power plants grounded due to the earthquake that shook Japan’s northeastern coast last week and unusually cold weather hitting Tokyo, the government called for electricity to be provided as of early morning on Tuesday.
She renewed the appeal in the afternoon, however, warning of potential power outages if consumers continue to use energy.
“We did not achieve the (energy saving) targets between 08:00 and 15:00 and we felt the situation was precarious. That is why we asked for help from the Ministry of Commerce and asked the minister to ask for more energy and “rescue measures,” a TEPCO official said.
“We were able to achieve this level (of energy savings) from 15:00 because everyone responded to calls to cut back on energy, and all we feel now is gratitude,” the official added.
A similar warning was issued for the northeastern regions powered by Tohoku Electric Power Co., but that warning was lifted late Tuesday.
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