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Power demand soars to yearly high amid heat wave
Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Chang-yang speaks during a meeting at Korea Midland Power in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap
By Lee Kyung-min
By Lee Kyung-min
The nation's power demand has reached an year-to-date high of 92.9 gigawatts (GW), propelled by hot air carried by Typhoon Khanun, which is approaching the Korean Peninsula, and the return of major industries to work from a weeklong vacation, the energy ministry said Monday.
The government said the short-term summertime power demand will be more than met, as underpinned by an over 104 GW supply capacity accounted for in part by the resumed operation of the Hanbit Unit 2 with a capacity of 0.94 GW since Aug. 4
High temperatures are likely to continue throughout this week, keeping the electricity demand at or above 92.9 GW. Daytime highs are likely to peak at 36 degrees Celsius, Monday, and gradually inch down to a range of 29 to 33 degrees Celsius until Sunday.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said the demand high of 92.9 GW will still leave over 11 GW of reserve power.
The Korea Power Exchange expects (KPX) Korea to reach an intraday power peak as high as 92.9 GW between the hours of 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Since June 15, the country's energy authorities have been in summer emergency power monitoring.
Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Chang-yang Korea Midland Power (KMP), a state-run power company in Seoul, ensured the stable supply of electricity and operation of power plants in the weeks to come.
“The government has mobilized all power sources including nuclear and thermal power generation to counter the spike in demand for energy,” he said.
“I strongly urge relevant on-site employees to closely monitor the situation and immediately report any developments to their superiors, in concerted efforts to prevent sudden power failures of the country's grid system.”
Data from KPX showed Korea's intraday maximum electricity demand reached an all-time high of 94.509 GW on Dec. 23 of last year.
The figure was a slight increase from the previous peak of 92.99 GW on July 7 of the same year. It exceeded the previous record of 91.14 GW on July 27, 2021.