Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings' subsidiary, Tokyo Electric Power Grid, announced on the 1st that it has implemented 'output control' for renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power for the first time. This action was taken in response to an increase in solar power generation due to favorable weather conditions, resulting in a potential surplus of electricity. This marks the first instance of output control being executed in the Kanto region, which includes the Tokyo metropolitan area.

The output control was directed towards electricity generators from 11 AM to 4 PM, anticipating a maximum controlling capacity of 1.18 million kilowatts from solar and wind sources. TEPCO noted that an imbalance between electricity supply and demand could lead to large-scale blackouts. On that day, sunny weather persisted from morning, producing significant solar power, but as it was a holiday, factory operations were limited, leading to the decision to restrict generation to avoid excess electricity.

While output control measures have already been implemented by nine other major power companies in Japan, this was the first occurrence in the electricity-intensive Tokyo area. This initiative reflects the growing integration of renewable energy sources into Japan's electricity supply and underscores the challenges of managing electricity demand amidst fluctuating generation patterns.