Saving Electricity in a Hurry: A Japanese Experience after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011

The Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011 brought about huge power shortage. In order to avoid blackouts, the Japanese society reduced its power demand by 12 % in the summer of 2011. TOKYO and TOHOKU areas, where power shortage was especially severe and mandatory rationing of 15 % was introduced, reduced its power demand by almost 20 %. This paper gives overview of the power saving activities in Japan after the Earthquake, and analyzes how Japanese industry achieved such dramatic demand reduction. Results are based on the questionnaire survey we conducted after the summer 2011. We estimate that more than 70 % the demand reduction in the commercial sector was achieved by limiting use of lighting and airconditioning, while in large industrial firms 40 % of the demand reduction was by increasing inhouse power generation, and 30 % by shifting hour of operation. We also report preliminary findings of the follow-up survey conducted after the summer of 2012, and discuss some implications for persistent savings.