No Summer Demand Reduction Requests... Industry Minister Conducts On-Site Power Supply Inspection

July 6 - September 18 Power Supply and Demand Measures Period
Minister Sung Yun-mo Visits Seoul Combined Cycle Power Plant on First Day
Checks Power Supply Situation and Urges Maintenance of Emergency Response Readiness

Sung Yoon-mo, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The government is maintaining vigilance to prevent power crises such as summer demand reduction requests. Following the establishment of the largest-ever electricity supply capacity, Minister Sung Yun-mo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy will personally inspect the power supply and demand situation from the first day of the countermeasure period.

On the 6th at 11 a.m., Minister Sung will visit the Seoul Combined Cycle Power Plant (Korea Midland Power Seoul Power Headquarters, formerly Danginri Power Plant) in Mapo-gu, Seoul, to conduct an on-site inspection of summer power supply and demand. Attendees at the site include Minister Sung, Kim Jong-gap, President of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), Cho Young-tak, Chairman of Korea Power Exchange, Park Hyung-gu, President of Korea Midland Power, along with presidents of the six power generation companies, Lee Sang-kwon, President of Korea Electrical Safety Corporation, and Kim Chang-seop, Chairman of Korea Energy Agency.

The power plant visited by Minister Sung is the world's first underground liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant, completed in November last year, supplying electricity to 1.85 million households, which is half of Seoul.

Minister Sung emphasized that although the highest-ever electricity supply capacity and additional reserve resources have been secured this summer, unexpected heatwaves could increase power demand beyond projections. Earlier, on the 30th of last month, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy reported at a Cabinet meeting chaired by the Prime Minister the 'Summer Power Supply and Demand Outlook and Countermeasures,' forecasting peak summer power demand at around 87.3 million kW and during heatwaves at around 90.8 million kW.

The ministry expects the highest power consumption from the fifth week of this month through the second week of next month. To prepare for the so-called 'peak period,' the reserve margin, calculated as maximum supply minus maximum demand, is secured at 9.39 million kW, and the power reserve rate, representing reserve capacity relative to maximum demand, is secured at 10.3%.

Minister Sung urged, "Throughout the power supply and demand countermeasure period, all executives and employees of related power organizations should maintain vigilance and do their best to manage stable power supply and demand."

He added, "Now is a critical time not only to prepare for heatwaves but also to ensure stable power supply for responding to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). According to the 'COVID-19 Emergency Response Plan' prepared by the six power generation companies last February, please thoroughly prepare to operate power plants without disruption."

Earlier, on February 27, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy established a response plan to enable 24-hour operation of power plants even if COVID-19 cases occur. Operation with disinfection is permitted on the condition of wearing personal protective equipment such as safety helmets, masks, goggles, and full-body protective suits.

According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor's 'Workplace Response Guidelines for COVID-19 Prevention and Spread Control,' workplaces with confirmed cases must be disinfected and prohibited from use until the next day. However, in consultation with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, power plant operations were ensured without disruption. There had been concerns as one of the two confirmed cases at Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, included a security staff member at Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant, but these were alleviated early.

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