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Japan Electricity Generation Jumps to Nearly 113,000 aMWs in Q1 of 2022

Japan’s ten electric power companies (EPCOs) collectively generated 112,879 average megawatts (aMWs) of electricity during the first quarter of this year. This represented an increase of +4.4% over last year’s level, and nearly matched the record high output of 113,064 aMWs seen in the first quarter of 2018.

Figure 1. Japan EPCOs Electricity Generation (2017-Q1 to 2022-Q1)

Source: CapraView

The relatively high generation level in Q1 of 2022 contrasted sharply with 2021, when output was below the 5-year average for every quarter of the year (see Figure 2).

Figure 2. Japan EPCOs Electricity Generation: 2022-Q1 vs. Prior Year and 5-Year High-Low Range

Source: CapraView

The year-on-year increase in generation was driven primarily by the much colder weather seen in Q1 of 2022 as compared to Q1 of 2021. Weighted-average heating degree-days (HDDs) for Japan increased by +14.7% to 940.3. This was the highest level seen for Japan since 2018, when 964.6 HDDs were recorded for the same period.