Cut power use to avert blackouts, Japan tells industry

Japan's government today set targets for sharp cuts in power use in Tokyo and northern Japan in the peak summer months to avoid rolling blackouts that could severely damage the economy, according to a Reuters report.

The trade ministry called on big industrial users to reduce power consumption by one-fourth. It estimated the targets would cut total peak demand by 15 million kw for the areas served by Tokyo Electric Power Co and Tohoku Electric Power Co - enough to fill a projected supply gap after last month's devastating earthquake and tsunami shut down several big nuclear and thermal power stations, the report adds.

Trade Minister Banri Kaieda said the two utilities would not, in principle, resort to rolling power blackouts.

Rolling blackouts by Tokyo Electric last month due to damage from the disaster severely disrupted activity in Japan's economic heartland around the capital.

Tokyo Electric is scrambling to secure enough power for the capital area's factories and air-conditioners this summer after the 11 March disaster took out 23 per cent of its generating capacity.