In preparation for a possible shortage of electricity supply this summer in the service area of the Tokyo Electric Power Company (“TEPCO”), Tokyo Commodity Exchange, Inc. (“TOCOM”) has examined the effects of electricity demand control and power outage measures in its building and data center (“DC”), which house TOCOM’s systems. This examination is in response to the Outline of Electricity Supply-Demand Measures in Summer Time (Draft), announced on April 8 by the government.
The following are the demand control measures we will implement and market management policy we intend to carry out to prevent disorder from power outages. We ask all concerned parties their understanding and cooperation in this matter.
Please also note that such measures are subject to change based on government policy.
1. Our measures for electricity demand control and power outage
A. Electricity demand control
- DC: We confirmed peak-period reduction targets set for large-scale utility users can be reached through power-saving measures for air-conditioning, lighting, etc. and by using additional electricity through independent power generation.
- TOCOM office building: We are examining and implementing power-saving measures for air-conditioning, lighting, etc., in order to reach peak-period reduction targets set for small-scale utility users.
B. Power outage measures
- Our system is capable of operating without interruption in the event of a power outage through power supplied from independent power generator and an uninterruptible power systems (UPS).
- Independent power generation equipment and a UPS will ensure business continuity for TOCOM’s office building. In the event of prolonged power outage, system operators located in our building will continue business operations from the DC.
2. Market management policy
As an exchange that lists internationally traded commodities, we consider it our mission to provide continuous market access. This supports the maintenance of price correlation with foreign markets and provides price discovery to our market participants. Therefore, TOCOM will continue operating as usual (without changes to the trading hours) during the implementation of power consumption reduction measures listed above.
In the event of a blackout resulting from electricity supply-demand conditions, TOCOM will make a decision, after careful consideration, on the suspension of trading session in accordance with the “Contingency Plan for Cases Including System Failure (CP)”. TOCOM will reopen the market when it judges that continuity of transactions can be established, even during the session where blackout occurrs. Please note that this reopening process is different from the notice previously announced on March 18, titled “Exchange Response in Case of Unpredictable, Large-Scale Blackout”,under which the suspension is effective for the entire session where the blackout occurs.