Japan's TEPCO to invest $3.2bn in power grid to meet AI demand

TOKYO -- Tokyo Electric Power Co. Holdings expects to invest billions of dollars in its grid over the coming years as Japanese utilities prepare for a rise in power-hungry data centers and chipmaking plants, Nikkei has learned.

Eighteen new, large-scale substations are planned nationwide by 2030, eight of which, or about 40% in terms of capacity, will be located in the Tokyo metropolitan area, Nikkei found based on plans compiled by the Organization for Cross-regional Coordination of Transmission Operators. These new substations are needed in response to higher demand for electricity.