Japan utilises 58.3% less nuclear power

The nuclear power plant utilisation rate in Japan fell to 58.3% in March from 66% last year.

The data was taken from at Japan's ten nuclear companies.

The plants generated 80.85 billion kWh of electricity, which is 3% less than the last year's production.


The ten nuclear plants also consumed more oil in March compared with last year to generate electricity, according to Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan.

This is the first time in 16 months that Japan saw a decline after rolling blackouts in Tokyo Electric Power's service areas forced closure of its two nuclear plants, following the 9.0 magnitude earthquake that shook the country.