Tohoku Electric to seek help from other utilities in winter

Tohoku Electric is in talks with utilities from other regions to receive surplus power, in a bid to meet peak-hour demand and avoid rolling blackouts this winter.

The utility is expected to be able supply 13,000 megawatts this winter, not including such power support from neighbouring utilities, according to a report by Reuters.

While peak-hour demand in its service area this winter is unlikely to exceed last winter's 14,700 MW, Tohoku plans to unveil detailed supply/demand plans at the end of this month or early next month, said Fumio Ube, an executive vice president.

Ube also said the usage of liquefied natural gas and fuel oil has jumped compared with a year earlier to make up for a 50-percent fall in coal-fired power generation as well as the shutdown of nuclear power plants.

"We've been dealing with fuel procurements properly. We've secured the fuel we need for this winter," he said.

An expected power supply of 13,000 MW this winter does not include any power from its two nuclear stations.