Power Peak 'Next Monday and Tuesday'... "Responding with Full Emergency Measures"

Peak Power Demand 92.9GW
Reserve Capacity Maintained Above 10GW
Prepared for Uncertainties Including Solar Power Slump and Weather Changes Due to Typhoon Path Alterations

Next Monday and Tuesday are expected to record the highest electricity demand of the summer season at around 92.9GW over the two days. With a secured supply capacity of approximately 104GW, the power supply and demand are expected to remain stable. However, uncertainties such as reduced solar power generation due to clouds in the southern region and weather changes caused by the typhoon's altered path exist, so the government plans to prepare through an all-out emergency response system.

As the heatwave continues and electricity demand rises, an official is checking the power supply situation at the System Operation Center of the Power Management Department, Korea Electric Power Corporation Gyeonggi Regional Headquarters in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province on the 2nd.

Kang Kyung-sung, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, held an urgent video conference on the afternoon of the 3rd with executives from the Korea Power Exchange, Korea Electric Power Corporation, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, and the five major power generation companies located at each site to inspect the preparation status for the power peak. They reviewed the step-by-step measures to be implemented if the reserve capacity falls below 10.7GW. They also confirmed stable operation plans for transmission and distribution facilities (KEPCO), nuclear and pumped-storage power facilities (KHNP), and major thermal power generation facilities (power companies).

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration forecast, the heat pushed toward the Korean Peninsula by Typhoon 'Khanun' is expected to continue until next Tuesday, with temperatures gradually dropping from Wednesday. Reflecting the weather changes according to the typhoon's path, electricity demand is expected to reach the highest level of the summer season at around 92.9GW over the two days of next Monday and Tuesday. Since a supply capacity of about 104GW has already been secured, the reserve capacity is expected to be maintained above 10GW, ensuring stable power supply and demand, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Nuclear power plants are also operating 20 units this year, following last year's peak period, with an operation rate approaching 80%, providing stable base load power.

In preparation for the peak week of the second week of August, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has secured an additional 0.5GW of reserve resources through generator test runs and non-central output increases, in addition to the 7.6GW of reserve resources under the summer power supply and demand measures. Furthermore, they plan to reduce demand by up to 1GW through expanded shutdowns of air conditioners in public institutions and cooperation from high electricity-consuming businesses. During August, when continuous attention to supply and demand is required due to the full-scale heatwave, inspections of power facilities such as power plants and control centers will be strengthened, led by ministers and vice ministers, while continuously monitoring energy use support for vulnerable groups.

Vice Minister Kang said, "Given the ongoing tropical nights, severe heatwaves, and typhoons with high uncertainty, all power-related organizations must manage power supply and demand with utmost determination and maintain an all-out emergency response system. KEPCO and power generation companies must repeatedly inspect transmission, distribution, and generation facilities to prevent unexpected failures and thoroughly prepare countermeasures to quickly restore operations in case of breakdowns," he urged.

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