The Japanese government has called on the population to turn off unnecessary lighting for the next few hours to save electricity. Japan is currently being hit by a heat wave and massive amounts of electricity are being consumed for air conditioners.
Due to that peak in power consumption, the power could go out completely.
Over the past weekend, the temperature in the capital Tokyo already risen above 35 degrees Celsius. In Isesaki, northwest of the capital, it even reached 40.2 degrees Celsius, which is the highest temperature ever measured in Japan in June.
The government in Japan has been warning of possible major power outages for several weeks. To ensure that there will certainly be enough electricity to run the air conditioners, the government has now asked citizens to turn off unnecessary lighting between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. (local time). While electricity suppliers are doing everything they can to generate power, the government says the situation is “unpredictable” if temperatures continue to rise.
Supplies in Japan have become more difficult since some nuclear plants had to close in March as a result of an earthquake in the northeast. Some fossil fuel plants have also recently been closed to emit less CO2. These decisions and increased demand for electricity mean that the electricity supply in the country is under pressure.
Earlier this month, the Japanese government already called on families and companies to use electricity sparingly during the summer (from July to September).
The Japanese can certainly continue to use their air conditioners and they must also drink enough. According to the Japanese channel NHK, 46 people have been taken to hospital with heatstroke since yesterday in Tokyo. One 94-year-old man is said to have died from the effects of the heat.
