Naoki Nishikawa, vice president of JR West, implied that the company is going to deal with saving electricity request by installing energy-saving trains or running trains in energy-saving ways, instead of partial train services. It will save 8〜9% of electricity consumption. The statement was delivered to journalists after the conference with Jiro Kagawa, Vice president of KEPCO*1, who visited JR West to beg saving electricity.
Electricity consumption of JR West amounts about 2% of total electricity sold by KEPCO, which equals to 3.5 billion kW (in 2010). In addition to his explanation that the vice president of KEPCO begs to cut more than 15% of electricity consumption used in KEPCO area in the summer of 2010, he just said "Railways are inevitable for society. I wish full cooperation unless disorders." ,and didn't refer to how to save.
JR West struggled with saving electricity in a way which effects indirectly on train operation such as turning off lights in stations or trains, or adjusting preset temperature of air conditioners. Promoting installation of new trains and energy saving operation of trains by controling acceleration and deceleration time will prevail over JR West.
Mr.Nishikawa commented "Our measure without doing anything on diagram of trains was accepted by KEPCO"
By KEPCO and governments, Companies and houses in KEPCO srea are required to save more than 15% of electricity consumption used in KEPCO area in the summer of 2010 on assumption without restarting Oi nuclear power plants' restarting. KEPCO area is under the most severe situation of electricity supply because of high dependence on nuclear power stations.
Citation: http://www.kobe-np.co.jp/news/shakai/0005077297.shtml
I'm waiting for news release of remaining railway companies in Kansai.
*1:Kansai Electric Power Co.Inc
