Japan power companies to build or bolster 30 substations to meet AI demand

Artificial intelligenceProviders look to quickly grow capacity, laying groundwork for tech investmentsA Kansai Electric Power subsidiary will expand substations in Kobe and Osaka. (Kansai Transmission and Distribution)SHIMPEI NAKAMURAJuly 16, 2026 00:39 JSTTOKYO -- Eight of Japan's major power companies are building or expanding 30 substations nationwide, looking to bolster transmission capacity and get ahead of increasing electricity demand fueled by new artificial intelligence data centers.