Kansai Electric braces for 9.5% power supply shortage in Feb

Kansai Electric Power is expected to face a power supply shortage in February of 2.53 million kilowatts.

The company's supply capacity is falling 9.5% short of estimated peak demand during the month when winter heating demand is the highest.

In January, the utility's supply capacity is expected to be 7.1% short of peak power demand, as seven out of 11 nuclear reactors operated by Kansai Electric are currently halted -- and all 11 plants will be off-line by the end of February unless idled reactors are allowed to resume operations.

To avoid blackouts, the government will call on businesses and households in Kansai Electric's service area to reduce electricity use by 10% or more from a year earlier from Dec. 19 to March 23, except weekends.

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