Ministry of Industry: "Reducing Coal Power Cuts Fine Dust by 781 Tons in January... 42% Decrease Year-on-Year"

Asia Economy DB=Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Due to the government's push to reduce coal power generation, fine dust (PM2.5) decreased by 781 tons last month compared to the same month last year.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on the 9th that, following the 'Winter Power Supply and Coal Power Reduction Measures,' coal power plant reductions were steadily implemented in January this year, following December last year.

In January, the ministry suspended operations of a total of 8 to 10 coal power units and imposed output restrictions (limiting power generation to 80%) on up to 49 units.

As a result, fine dust emissions in January were analyzed to have decreased by approximately 42% (781 tons) compared to the same period last year.

It was explained that during the high concentration fine dust period in winter from December last year to January this year, total fine dust emissions from the coal power sector decreased by about 1,500 tons (40.3%) compared to the same period last year.

During January, the power supply situation (on weekdays) was also stably managed and maintained at a reserve capacity level of 11.95 to 21.12 million kW (reserve rate of 14.6 to 29.1%).

Kim Jeong-il, Director of Energy Innovation Policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, said, "We will continue to steadily implement coal power reduction measures to reduce fine dust during the remaining winter period," and added, "We plan to announce the 'Spring Power Supply and Coal Power Reduction Measures' in the last week of February to reduce fine dust during the seasonal fine dust period in March."

Meanwhile, from the 10th to the 21st, the ministry plans to conduct the third inspection of energy demand management compliance, including adherence to appropriate heating temperatures, targeting public institutions in cooperation with local governments and the Korea Energy Agency.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.