Ministry of Industry: "Reducing Coal Power Cuts Fine Dust by 2,108 Tons in 3 Months"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Due to the government's reduction of coal-fired power generation, fine dust emissions have decreased by 2,108 tons compared to the previous year over the past three months.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy disclosed the results on the 17th of implementing the 'Winter Power Supply and Coal Power Reduction Measures' for three months from December last year to February this year. During this period, 8 to 15 coal power plants were shut down, and the output of up to 49 other plants was limited to 80%. As a result, fine dust emissions from the entire coal power sector decreased by 2,108 tons (39.6%) compared to the same period last year.

The Ministry also stated that the winter power supply situation (on weekdays) was stably managed and maintained with a reserve capacity of 10.43 to 25.03 million kW (reserve rate of 12.9 to 35.2%).

Furthermore, the Ministry analyzed that since the government took office, active implementation of coal power reduction measures has resulted in a reduction of fine dust emissions by more than 45% over the past three years. Fine dust emissions from coal power decreased from 30,768 tons in 2016 to 17,072 tons in 2019.

The coal power reduction measures so far include ▲early closure of 10 aged coal plants by 2021 ▲shutdown of aged coal plants during spring (March to June 2019) ▲focused preventive maintenance and use of low-sulfur coal ▲reduction of coal power during the winter power supply period ▲and doubling the emission standards for air pollutants.

The Ministry plans to further reduce fine dust emissions from coal power in March as well. This month, 21 to 28 coal power plants will be shut down, and output limits will be imposed on the remaining coal plants (up to 37 units). Additionally, 242.8 billion KRW will be invested this year in reinforcing and improving eco-friendly facilities such as desulfurization, denitrification, and dust collection, as well as in research and development (R&D).

Kim Jeong-il, Director of Energy Innovation Policy at the Ministry, said, "Along with stable power supply management last winter, we faithfully implemented coal power reduction measures to reduce fine dust. We will continue to steadily promote coal power reduction measures during the remaining spring period so that the public does not suffer from fine dust-related difficulties."

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