OREANDA-NEWS. Japanese state-controlled utility Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco) has restarted two power plant units after completing repairs.

Tepco resumed operations at the 1,000MW Hirono No.3 oil-fired generation unit on 21 November. The unit was shut down on 11 November because of an oil leak in a steam stop valve. The utility also restarted operations at the 600MW Anegasaki No.1 gas-fired power unit on 20 November, after it was shut on 8 November because of a steam leak in a boiler. Tepco has replaced the damaged parts at both units.

Tepco expects to have a 14pc power generation surplus tomorrow, following the restarts. This is above the ideal 7-8pc reserve level needed to deal with unexpected shutdowns at power plants or surges in peak demand, despite the continuing closure of all its nuclear reactors.

The utility consumed 29,400 b/d of fuel oil and 11,200 b/d of crude in January-October, down by 45.3pc and by 53.2pc respectively from the same period last year. LNG consumption declined by 4.1pc to 18,370t over the period.