Maximum Power Demand of 94.5GW Expected to Break Record Amid Winter Cold Wave

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Dongwoo Lee] As the nationwide cold wave intensifies, electricity demand is expected to break the all-time high record once again. Since the record for the highest winter electricity demand was broken twice this week, the government plans to strengthen emergency response measures to ensure stable power supply and demand.

The Korea Power Exchange forecasted on the 22nd that the peak power demand (the moment of highest electricity usage in a day) will surpass 94.5GW (gigawatts), breaking the all-time record. If the actual demand reaches this forecasted level, it will exceed the previous highest electricity demand of 93.0GW recorded on July 7th of this year.

This figure exceeds the peak power demand of 94GW projected by the government on the 30th of last month in the 'Winter Power Supply and Demand Outlook and Measures.' The nationwide heavy snowfall caused solar power generation to be significantly lower than initially expected, which had a major impact.

Previously, peak power demand rose to the 80GW range on the 30th of last month (82GW) when the minimum temperature dropped below freezing, then reached the 90GW range on the 14th of this month, and surpassed the highest winter record of 92GW just yesterday.

With the surge in electricity demand, the power supply reserve capacity is expected to be 11.9GW, and the power supply reserve rate is forecasted at 12.7% on this day. Generally, to prepare for emergencies such as power plant failures, a reserve capacity of over 10,000MW and a reserve rate above 10% are considered necessary for stable supply and demand. There is growing concern that the reserve rate could drop further if the severe cold below freezing continues for an extended period. Previously, the power supply reserve rate, which was as high as 46% on the 11th, fell to 11.4% yesterday.

Fortunately, by timely deploying nuclear power plants such as Shin Hanul Unit 1, recently completed, and Hanbit Unit 4, which resumed operation after five years, the reserve capacity can be maintained above 10GW despite power demand exceeding 90GW. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy stated, "If these nuclear plants had not been brought online, the power supply reserve capacity would have decreased by 2.7GW, and the reserve rate would have dropped by 3 percentage points."

On this day, Park Il-jun, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, visited Seongdong Substation, a key facility for Seoul's power supply, and said, "Through thorough supply and demand management, we are maintaining a stable reserve capacity level despite record-breaking power demand, but the situation requires us to remain vigilant." He urged, "Power-related organizations will maintain emergency response measures to prevent unexpected failures in power facilities, including substations."

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. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung, Suwon aymsdream@

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