According to a BBC report, Sony of Japan may shut down some of its facilities to conserve energy. The company is doing its part in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami that wreaked havoc on Tohoku March 11. Japan has been suffering energy shortages since last month due mostly to damage to nuclear and thermal power stations, most notably at the Fukushima Daiichi plant.
Last week the Japanese government set energy conservation targets and asked manufacturers to reduce consumption. For Sony to accomplish its goal of shutting down in the summer, it plans to bring forward various national holidays so that its workers can have some time off. Given that summer is when demand for electricity is at its peak, this is probably the best course of action. Employees will make up the time later in the year when the shortages are expected to be resolved.
"We are looking to provide two weeks of holidays to workers to alleviate the electricity consumption," Sony’s George Boyd told the BBC. "We are likely to bring the work hours forward to cut electricity usage on a day-to-day basis as well."
Source: BBC by way of Edge Online
