Power generation by Japan's 10 electric power companies fell 1.3 percent in July from a year earlier to 89.15 billion kilowatt-hours, setting a record of 12 straight months of decline, an industry association said Wednesday.
Cooler weather compared with the same time a year ago apparently reduced need for air conditioning, a spokesman at the Federation of Electric Power Companies said.
"It was considerably hot in July, but not as hot as it was last year, and there was less demand for air conditioning," he said.
Hydroelectric plants accounted for 7.68 billion kwh in July, up 10.1 percent from the year before. Nuclear power plants generated 27.96 billion kwh, up 9.1 percent.
Thermal power output dropped 11.3 percent to 40.69 billion kwh, due to the general drop in demand and the surge in output by nuclear and hydroelectric power plants.