A new generator at a thermal-power plant near Tokyo will start operation about a month earlier than scheduled due to a surge in electricity demand amid intense summer heat.
Japanese electricity producer Jera and other firms have installed the generator in the Goi Thermal Power Station in Chiba Prefecture.
The unit is powered by liquefied natural gas. Its output capacity of 780,000 kilowatts will cover about 2 million households.
The joint-venture in charge of its operation says the unit’s state-of-the-art turbine can reduce carbon-dioxide emissions by 16 percent annually compared to the previous generator.
The operator says the unit was set to go online at the end of next month. Its launch is being moved up to August 1 due to strong power demand.