Japan in danger of power shortage in nuclear-free summer

One of two remaining reactors in Japan shuts down today for maintenance drawing closer to a nuclear-free summer.

Tepco will shut down its last running reactor, the No. 6 unit at the Kashiwazaki Kariwa plant, leaving online just one of Japan's 54 reactors.

The one remaining reactor, Hokkaido Electric's Tomari No.3, is scheduled to go off line on May 5 for maintenance.

But the danger of a power crunch looms a power crunch if none of those taken off-line after the Fukushima crisis is restarted.

The government has estimated that Japan could face a power shortage of 9.2 percent this summer, or 16.6 million kilowatts, if all nuclear reactors are down and no measures are taken.

Experts say firms will have to bear a costly burden and that mandatory limits on power use may be necessary to avoid blackouts.

The government is keen to get some running again, but must first persuade wary locals that the plants are safe.

Most mayors and governors whose communities host nuclear plants want fresh safety assurances beyond the government-imposed stress tests conducted in recent months before agreeing to the restart of reactors, a Reuters poll showed.

Utilities have pressed into service old fossil fuel plants to boost power supply. But analysts said these ageing facilities could suffer breakdowns, while companies and vulnerable consumer groups would also have to bear the pain of adjustments.

But it also said most of that gap could be filled if steps such as increasing power supply from fossil fuel plants and solar power as well as conserving energy are taken.

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