Power Grids Stretched as Deadly Heat Wave Scorches Asia
- Japan spot power prices rise to highest level since 2013
- China’s Hunan province suffering ‘very severe’ power situation
Photographer: Yuichi Yamazaki/Getty Images
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A deadly heat wave across Asia is stretching electricity grids from southern China up to Tokyo and Seoul, sending prices to multiyear highs and sparking warnings of more power stress to come.
Japan on Monday breached records above 41 degrees Celsius (106 Fahrenheit) as the heat that’s been blamed for at least 15 deaths this month pushed electricity rates to the most in almost five years. The Korea Meteorological Administration issued a nationwide heat wave warning after temperatures on Sunday hit the highest since 1994. Chinese authorities continue to warn that peak power loads have already breached last year’s levels and are expected to rise further.