Calculation of the Effect of the Restriction on Electricity Consumption based on Article 27 of the Electricity Utilities Industry Law Looking at Power-saving Measures Last Summer

摘要

The Great East Japan Earthquake caused severe damage to power generation facilities in the service areas of Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) and Tohoku Electric Power Company (Tohoku EPCO), raising concerns about a power shortage. Last summer, electricity usage reduction measures were steadily implemented through various power-saving efforts, and adding this to the fact that the temperature was relatively mild compared to that of FY2010, the electricity usage reduction far exceeded the goal set by the government. On the other hand, restrictions on electricity consumption based on Article 27 of the Electricity Utilities Industry Law (electricity usage restriction order) were imposed within the services areas of TEPCO and Tohoku EPCO. The impact of this order was significant. In addition to promoting power-saving efforts that could be taken without a heavy burden being imposed, there were also aspects to the order that incurred an economic burden to reduce electricity usage, such as halting operation of facilities.