Japan’s Power Industry Workers Union Calls for Prudence toward the Closure of Coal-fired Power Plants

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On May 25, the Federation of Electric Power Related Industry Workers Union of Japan submitted its opinion on deliberations made by the government on the tight balance between electricity supply and demand. The government had invited public comments on the subject.

The tight energy situation has resulted from a major cold wave and shortages of LNG last winter, along with the phasing out of inefficient coal-fired power plants, among other developments.

The union pointed out that the current review of energy policy and climate change measures “could have a great effect on employment and the working environment at worksites supporting stable energy supplies.” It added that it was essential to consider such matters based on “actual on-site situations.”

As for the phasing out of inefficient coal-fired plants, the union said that consideration needed to be made of the role of coal-fired power in ensuring electricity supply stability over the medium and long term, along with a consideration of the importance of steady employment for workers and the maintenance and development of practical abilities.