Moves to raise electricity rates are spreading among the nation's major power companies. In September, Tokyo Electric Power Co. raised fees for electricity used by households. Following this, Kansai Electric Power Co. and Kyushu Electric Power Co. expressed the desire to raise their electricity charges. Hokkaido Electric Power Co., Tohoku Electric Power Co. and Shikoku Electric Power Co. do not rule out the possibility of raising their charges.
Behind this situation is the suspension of nuclear power plant operations following the 3/11 triple disasters. The increase in the costs of importing fuel for thermal power plants, which are substituting for nuclear power plants kept offline, has caused power companies' business performance to deteriorate.
Eight of the nation's 10 major power companies — excepting Hokuriki Electric Power Co. and Okinawa Electric Power Co. — suffered net losses in a half-year business period through the end of September 2012.