* November nuclear utilisation rate 8.5 pct pts higher yr/yr
* Rate up 3.1 pct pts m/m after restart of several units
(Adds details, table)
TOKYO, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Japan's nuclear utilisation rate
climbed year-on-year in November, rising for the third month in a
row, as utilities increased power output ahead of winter.
The nuclear power plant utilisation rate at Japan's 10
nuclear power companies averaged 66.6 percent in November, 8.5
percentage points higher than a year ago, the trade ministry said
on Tuesday.
Last month's nuclear run rate was also 3.1 percentage points
higher than in October, reflecting the restart of several units
before winter, when power demand typically rises as consumers
increase electric heater use to combat colder weather.
The earlier restart of two reactors at Tokyo Electric Power
Co's (TEPCO) (9501.T) Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant has also
given a boost to nuclear runs in the country this year.
TEPCO was forced to shut the seven units at the plant, the
world's largest, over two years ago following a major earthquake
in northern Japan.
Below is a list of nuclear power generators and the nuclear
power plant utilisation rate for November, according to the data.
Nine Japanese utilities and electricity wholesaler Japan
Atomic Power Co have 53 nuclear power generators for commercial
use, with a total generating capacity of 47,935 megawatts, the
world's third highest.
NOVEMBER
Company Run rate (%)
Hokkaido Electric Power Co (9509.T) 102.7
Tohoku Electric Power Co (9506.T) 67.7
Tokyo Electric Power Co (9501.T) 61.7
Chubu Electric Power Co (9502.T) 64.2
Hokuriku Electric Power Co (9505.T) 60.1
Kansai Electric Power Co (9503.T) 57.7
Chugoku Electric Power Co (9504.T) 101.0
Shikoku Electric Power Co (9507.T) 101.4
Kyushu Electric Power Co (9508.T) 83.6
Japan Atomic Power Co 45.5
(Reporting by James Topham)
((james.topham@thomsonreuters.com; +813 6441 1858; Reuters
Messaging: james.topham.reuters.com@reuters.net))
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