Reducing Coal Power Cuts Fine Dust... 19% Decrease Compared to Last Year

28 Coal-Fired Power Plants Shut Down During 2nd Seasonal Management Period
Fine Dust Emissions Reduced by 51% Compared to Pre-Implementation and 19% Year-on-Year

The city center viewed from the 63 Square Observatory in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 30th is hazy due to the influence of yellow dust. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] As a result of the government shutting down the operation of multiple coal power plants, fine dust emissions have been reduced by more than half compared to before the implementation of the system.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on the 12th that since implementing the '2nd Fine Dust Seasonal Management System' from December last year to March this year, fine dust emissions from coal power plants decreased by 51% (3,358 tons) compared to before the system was implemented, and by 19% (757 tons) compared to the previous year. During this period, out of a total of 58 coal power plants, 9 to 28 units were shut down.

The Ministry of Industry implemented the 1st Fine Dust Seasonal Management System from December 2019 to March 2020. During that period, fine dust emissions were 3,948 tons, which was significantly reduced compared to emissions before the system was implemented (6,549 tons).

The Ministry evaluated that the reduction in fine dust emissions from coal power plants during this seasonal management period was due to ▲ a decrease in coal power generation resulting from expanded shutdowns ▲ continuous expansion of environmental facility investments by power companies ▲ and the use of low-sulfur coal. Coal power generation decreased from 61.4 gigawatt-hours (GWh) during the 1st seasonal management period to 54.3 GWh during the 2nd seasonal management period.

Since the inauguration of the Moon Jae-in administration, efforts to reduce fine dust and greenhouse gases have included banning permits for new coal power plants, phasing out old coal power plants, and expanding investments in environmental facilities at power plants to improve the performance of desulfurization and denitrification facilities. The use of low-sulfur coal is also being expanded to reduce sulfur oxide emissions.

Lee Hohyun, Director of Energy Innovation Policy at the Ministry of Industry, said, "We will steadily implement coal power reduction measures during the next seasonal management period to ensure that the public does not suffer from difficulties caused by fine dust," and added, "We will disclose the climate and environmental costs associated with coal power reduction operations during this 2nd seasonal management period to enhance consumer acceptance."

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