Tokyo Electric Power Co. plans to start a bidding process next month to secure long-term electricity supplies from thermal power sources.
The plan is generating concern in some quarters about the effect on greenhouse gas emissions because the system implies the sole use of coal — a major source of the carbon dioxide emissions thought to be driving global warming.
Some experts also question Tepco's presumed need to increase power generation beyond fiscal 2019. This is because the population of its service area is expected to shrink.