Japanese earthquake causes power plants to be shut down

• 2 years ago (2022-03-17)
• David Flin

Asia 846 Distribution 107

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A magnitude 7.4 earthquake in north-eastern Japan knocked several thermal power plants offline, causing blackouts across Tokyo and the Tohoku region. Roughly 2 million buildings in the Tokyo area were without power in the immediate aftermath, according to Tepco. The Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) has said that power has been restored.

At least 6.1 GW of gas- and coal-fired power capacity was shut down after the earthquake, struck off the coast of Fukushima prefecture. It is not yet known when the facilities will restart.

Japan’s electricity network coordinator ordered rival utilities to offer supply to Tohoku Electric to avoid a shortage.

Jera Co’s Hirono 5 and 6 coal-fired power plants were among the facilities halted due to the earthquake, according to METI. Several of Tohoku Electric Power Co’s thermal power units were also halted, along with a generation facility at Eneos Holdings’ Negishi oil refinery, according to METI.

Japan Petroleum Exploration Co ’s Soma LNG import terminal also halted operations due to a power outage.

Japan’s regulator said that no abnormalities were detected at any of the country’s nuclear power plants, including the Fukushima Dai-Ichi facility.