Kyushu Electric to seek curb on solar power generation

• 5 years ago (2018-10-12)
• David Flin

Asia 846 Solar 242

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Kyushu Electric Power of Japan has expressed its intention to call for a temporary suspension of electricity generation from solar power to prevent power oversupply. Kyushu Electric will be the first regional power supplier to request renewable electricity producers to reduce output on a broad basis in Japan.

The company fears that a sharp deterioration in the power supply-demand balance will cause an extensive blackout similar to the one that happened in Hokkaido last month in the wake of a powerful earthquake.

At a meeting with industry ministry officials, a senior Kyushu Electric official said that a curb on renewable power generation was necessary.

Kyushu Electric is likely to ask renewable power suppliers in the Kyushu region, excluding those with an output capacity of less than 10 kW, to curb generation. The company plans to request such output reduction on public holidays in autumn and spring, when electricity demand for air conditioning usually falls.

Japan adopted the feed-in tariff system in 2012 to promote use of solar power and other renewable energy sources. Due to good insolation conditions, solar power generation became widespread in Kyushu.

On October 1, Kyushu Electric carried out an output curb and provided excess electricity to other regional suppliers including Kansai Electric. Kyushu Electric said that it is now seeking cooperation from local renewable power producers in maintaining the supply-demand balance.