Japan's TEPCO to invest $3.2bn in power grid to meet AI demand

Electric utilities build more substations as data centers, chip plants drive consumption

20240829N tepco transmission lines

TEPCO Power Grid has been bolstering transmission infrastructure in Inzai, near Tokyo. (Photo by Koki Izumi)

KOKI IZUMI, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Tokyo Electric Power Co. Holdings expects to invest billions of dollars in its grid over the coming years as Japanese utilities prepare for a rise in power-hungry data centers and chipmaking plants, Nikkei has learned.

Eighteen new, large-scale substations are planned nationwide by 2030, eight of which, or about 40% in terms of capacity, will be located in the Tokyo metropolitan area, Nikkei found based on plans compiled by the Organization for Cross-regional Coordination of Transmission Operators. These new substations are needed in response to higher demand for electricity.

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