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.