Sharp Cold Wave Causes Surge in Power Demand... Supply Reserve Rate Hits Lowest This Winter

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Dongwoo Lee] As the full-scale cold wave of winter begins, electricity demand is increasing significantly.

According to the Korea Power Exchange on the 15th, the nationwide peak power demand (the moment of highest electricity usage in a day) reached 90,128 MW (megawatts) the previous day, setting a new record high for this winter.

The peak power demand rose to the 80,000 MW range on the 30th of last month (82,117 MW), when the lowest temperature dropped below freezing, and increased to 83,052 MW on the 1st of this month, 83,990 MW on the 5th, 84,058 MW on the 6th, and 85,195 MW on the 13th, before surpassing 90,000 MW the previous day.

As electricity demand surged, the power supply reserve capacity was 10,509 MW, and the reserve margin was 12%, marking the lowest level this winter. Generally, to ensure stable supply and demand, reserve capacity should exceed 10,000 MW and the reserve margin should be above 10% to prepare for emergencies such as power plant failures.

The reserve margin is the ratio of the reserve capacity (the difference between the day's power supply capacity and peak power demand) divided by the peak power demand. The lower the reserve margin, the greater the concern about power supply instability. The Power Exchange expects this week's peak power demand to range between 83,300 MW and 88,500 MW, with reserve capacity between 12,700 MW and 14,500 MW, as temperatures drop sharply.

If the severe cold below freezing continues for a long period, there is increasing concern that the power supply reserve margin will decline further. Previously, the power supply reserve margin, which was 46% on the 11th, dropped to 18% and 15% on the 12th and 13th respectively, and further declined sharply to 12% the previous day. The perceived temperature in Seoul was minus 19.7 degrees Celsius at 7 a.m. the previous day, close to minus 20 degrees Celsius.

The Power Exchange stated, "During winter weekdays, the highest electricity usage times are between 8 and 9 a.m. and between 4 and 5 p.m.," adding, "Saving electricity during these times greatly helps stabilize power supply and demand."

As the heatwave intensifies and electricity usage surges, officials are checking the power supply situation at the System Operation Center of the Power Management Department, Gyeonggi Regional Headquarters, Korea Electric Power Corporation, Suwon Special City on the 4th. / Suwon - Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

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