We made it through the (threat of) darkness

The feared midsummer power cuts (previous posts: here + here) have unsurprisingly failed to materialize. Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco) is formally announcing on the radio that the days of uncertainty that we have suffered due to their improper this and covering up of that, etc. etc., are now over and that we can get back to the task of lubricating the great machine of modern capitalism with our sweat and blood. Office buildings are today starting to post notices to the effect that their energy-saving measures are being curtailed.

Tepco estimates that energy saving brought demand down by about 1.3 mn kW, for which it thanks the meek and cooperative populace so profusely that one is inclined to forget that what actually saved the day was mid-August temperatures five and a half degrees below average, and the scramble to get six nuclear plants back on line (11 are still dormant). Whatever, peak demand was 56.5 mn kW, only 87% of the record set a couple of years ago.

In any case, Tepco has now turned over a new leaf and is vowing to be a kind and caring power generating conglomerate that listens to its customers, so everything's all right again.