電力改革方針 性急では成長戦略に反する

[The Yomiuri Shimbun] April 4, 2013
Hasty electric power system reform could hinder economic growth
電力改革方針　性急では成長戦略に反する（4月3日付・読売社説）

Will the government's reform to the electric power system spur economic growth? There is good reason to doubt it.
　この電力システム改革で、経済成長を促進できるのだろうか。疑問の残る内容である。

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved a basic policy for electric power system reform. It proposed full liberalization of retail sales of electricity, including that for households, in 2016.
　政府が、電力制度改革の基本方針を閣議決定した。３年後の２０１６年に家庭向けを含め電力小売りを全面自由化する。

The policy also calls for separating the power generation from the power transmission and distribution businesses in five to seven years by requiring power companies to set up separate group firms for such businesses.
５～７年後には電力会社の発電と送配電を分社する「発送電分離」を実施するとしている。

The Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe regards electric power reform as a central pillar of its overall growth strategy. It probably expects such reform will lower electricity rates through increased competition and spur growth in related industries.
　安倍内閣は電力改革を成長戦略の柱とする考えだ。競争促進による電気料金の低下や、関連産業の成長を期待しているのだろう。

However, if the cheap, stable supply of electricity is disrupted as a result of the hasty reform, economic growth will not result, and it will only deal a blow to the country's economy.
　ただし、性急な改革が引き金となり、安価で安定した電力の供給が揺らぐようでは、成長どころか経済に打撃を与えかねない。

We believe the positive effects, as well as the side effects, of the electric power system reform must be properly assessed.
制度改革の効果と副作用を、しっかり見極めることが重要だ。

Reform with caution

In particular, pushing through the reform while the power supply situation remains on a tightrope must be avoided. The Liberal Democratic Party has called on the government to make efforts to ensure a stable electricity supply. This request is appropriate.
　特に、電力供給が綱渡りのまま改革を強行するのは避けねばならない。自民党は政府に、電力の安定供給の確保に努めるよう求めた。当然の指摘といえる。

Top priority should be given to resolving the serious power shortage situation by reactivating idled reactors once their safety has been confirmed.
　安全を確認できた原子力発電所を再稼働し、深刻な電力不足を解消することが先決である。

The concern is that the separation of power generation and transmission, which is the centerpiece of the reform, could disrupt the stable supply of power. Finely tuned responses allowed under the current integrated supply system, such as adjustments to the amount of power generated according to such factors as weather temperature, could become difficult if power generation and transmission are handled by different companies.
　改革の目玉とされる発送電分離は、電力供給の安定を損なう懸念もある。気温の変化にあわせた発電量の調節など、現在の一貫供給体制で行われているきめ細かな対応が、分社化で難しくなると見られるためだ。

Indeed, in the United States and South Korea, a lack of cooperation due to the separation of power generation and power transmission have caused massive blackouts. To avoid similar problems in this country, great care must be taken in mapping out a new electric power system.
　実際に米国や韓国では、発送電分離による連携不足が、大停電を招いた。同じ轍(てつ)を踏まぬよう入念な制度設計が必要となる。

Rates could increase

Following an electricity rate hike by Tokyo Electric Power Co. in September, Kansai Electric Power Co. and Kyushu Electric Power Co. also will raise their rates for households starting in May.
　昨年９月の東京電力に続いて、関西、九州の両電力も５月から家庭向けの電気料金を値上げする。

People's frustration with a "regional monopoly system" that does not allow them to choose a power company freely will likely grow. We expect the liberalization of retail sales of electric power will at least bring fresh air into the monopoly system.
自由に電力会社を選べない「地域独占」への不満は強まろう。小売りの自由化は、地域独占に風穴を開けることが期待できる。

The liberalization, however, will not necessarily lead to substantially lower electricity rates, as seen in telecommunications charges. In fact, if the current power supply shortage remains unchanged, rates are likely to increase.
　だが、自由化によって、通信料金のような大幅な値下げが実現するとは限らない。電力の供給不足が続けば、むしろ料金が上昇する可能性が大きい。

Also, it would be difficult to promote entry into the market by new electric power suppliers and realize active price competition. Large-lot electricity sales to companies have been gradually liberalized since more than 10 years ago, yet the market share held by new entrants is only at about the 3 percent level.
　電気事業者の参入を促し、活発な価格競争を実現させるのも、容易ではない。企業向けの大口電力は１０年以上前から順次、販売の自由化が進められた。それでも、新規事業者のシェア（占有率）は、わずか３％台にとどまる。

If the electric power market is further liberalized while power companies maintain their overwhelming influence, an unregulated monopoly could damage consumers' interests.
　電力会社が圧倒的な力を持ったまま、さらに自由化すると、「規制なき独占」が消費者の利益を損なう恐れがある。

The government's approval system for household electricity rates has the effect of preventing rates from surging, as seen in recent cases where power company rate hikes were limited by government screenings. Careful judgment must be exercised in deciding whether to abolish the approval system.
　家庭向け料金の認可制は、電力各社が申請した値上げ幅を審査で圧縮したように、一定の歯止め効果がある。認可制廃止の是非は、慎重に判断すべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 3, 2013)
（2013年4月3日01時19分  読売新聞）