OCCTO Publishes Data on Retailers’ Spot Market Dependency

The Organization for Cross Regional Coordination of Transmission Operators (OCCTO) has begun publishing data on electricity retailers’ dependency on the spot market. Contrary to large utility companies, many retailers in Japan own limited generation assets and rely on the spot market for electricity procurement. From now on, OCCTO will disclose aggregated monthly and regional data on electricity retailers’ contracted volumes in the spot market via its “Grid Information Service” by the end of the second month after the target month (Access: 系統情報サービス>その他情報>各種情報>各種統計情報)

Policy Background and Initial Data Insights

A Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) working group proposed this policy in 2023, aiming to enhance predictability in securing fuel for power generators. The working group had stated that information on electricity retailers’ dependency on the spot market would help improve the accuracy of fuel consumption forecasts.

The OCCTO has begun to publicly announce the estimated spot contracted volumes that are included in the procurement plans for 2 days ahead (demand procurement plan and generation sales plan) submitted by electricity retailers. For April, the total volume across the nine areas (excluding Okinawa) was 11,181.78 GWh, accounting for 18.3% of total demand.

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