Summer power shortage forecast in Japan

TOKYO, March 25 (UPI) -- The operator of Japan's damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant forecast a serious power shortage in July because of a loss of capacity.

The plant was damaged in a March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

In an announcement Friday, Tokyo Electric Power Co. said rolling outages will be required in July as use of air conditioners rises, Kyodo reported.

The main utility serving Tokyo and surrounding areas estimated its electricity supply capacity in July at 46.5 million kilowatts, far short of an estimated peak demand of 55 million kilowatts.