en.Wedoany.com Reported - JERA Co., Inc. (JERA) announced that, based on the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's outlook for electricity supply and demand in the summer of fiscal 2026, it has formulated measures to balance electricity supply and demand during the peak period from July to September 2026, ensuring stable power supply in terms of both capacity and energy.

In terms of capacity assurance, JERA will avoid scheduling maintenance at thermal power plants during the summer as much as possible and will bring 10 units that have been replaced (totaling 7.31 GW) into commercial operation to increase power supply capacity. Additionally, in the public auction for additional power supply capacity for the summer of fiscal 2026 held by TEPCO Power Grid, Inc., JERA successfully bid to supply power from the long-term planned outage Unit 2 of the Sodegaura Thermal Power Station (located in Naka-sode, Sodegaura City, Chiba Prefecture; 1 GW), making every effort to ensure stable electricity supply. The restoration work at the Taketoyo Thermal Power Station (Taketoyo-cho, Chita District, Aichi Prefecture) is proceeding according to the recovery plan announced on November 22, 2024, following a fire, with the goal of resuming operations through biomass co-firing by June 2028; as a temporary measure, the plant will again use coal for power generation during peak demand this summer. JERA is also working to reduce the risk of outages by conducting targeted inspections and health assessments of key equipment such as boilers.

In terms of energy assurance, JERA is arranging alternative sources of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to maintain adequate inventory, and it is expected that there will be no major disruption to the electricity supply-demand balance in the short term. The rise in LNG prices is expected to be reflected in electricity and gas rates starting this summer. JERA optimizes flexible fuel procurement and resale activities through its subsidiary JERA Global Markets Co., Ltd. to ensure a continuous and stable fuel supply. A committee meeting of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry held on March 27 noted that, as an emergency measure, operational restrictions on inefficient coal-fired thermal power plants will not apply in fiscal 2026. JERA will effectively utilize available coal-fired thermal power plants, including inefficient units, to ensure stable electricity supply and reduce the burden on customers.

To alleviate the burden on customers, JERA, through its subsidiary JERA Global Markets Co., Ltd., is introducing new power supply products to meet customer procurement needs during peak and evening demand periods, with sales starting on July 1. The peak product covers the Tokyo and Chubu regions during the 8:00 to 20:00 time slot on a monthly basis, while the evening product covers the Tokyo region during the 16:00 to 22:00 time slot on a weekly and monthly basis. Both products are only applicable to contract months available within fiscal 2026. Additionally, to mitigate the risk of market price fluctuations during emergencies, JERA is considering selling power purchase agreements (PPAs), including those involving coal-fired thermal power, as early as this summer. The JERA Group will mobilize all its capabilities to ensure a stable and reliable energy supply through these measures.