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Kim Sung-hwan, Minister of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, is chairing a meeting on energy security related to the Middle East situation on the 11th at the Korea Electric Power Corporation Nam Seoul Headquarters located in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, with energy-related subsidiaries including Korea Electric Power Corporation, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, and Korea Gas Corporation. Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment.

As tensions in the Middle East escalate, causing a sharp increase in international crude oil and natural gas prices, the government has begun responding to ensure stable power supply by increasing the utilization rate of nuclear power plants and flexibly adjusting the operation of coal-fired power plants.

On March 11, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment held an "Energy Countermeasure Review Meeting on the Middle East Situation" at the Korea Electric Power Corporation Nam Seoul Headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, presided over by Minister Kim Sung-hwan. The meeting was convened to discuss energy response measures in preparation for a prolonged crisis in the Middle East. Attendees included Korea Electric Power Corporation, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, the five power generation companies, Korea Gas Corporation, private power generation companies, and the Korea Energy Economics Institute.

The government has decided to increase the utilization rate of nuclear power plants by restarting those currently under maintenance in a timely manner. Currently, 15 nuclear reactors with a total capacity of 16.45GW are in operation. The plan is to restart Shinwolseong Unit 1 and Kori Unit 2 within this month, and to ensure that additional reactors, such as Hanbit Unit 6, Hanul Unit 3, and Wolsong Units 2 and 3, are brought back online without delay by mid-May. To this end, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power will concentrate its maintenance and administrative resources on these efforts.

In addition, the government is considering operating coal-fired power plants more flexibly in case of potential disruptions in the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Under the 7th Fine Dust Seasonal Management Plan (from December 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026), the government currently restricts the output of coal-fired generators to 80% on weekdays and shuts down some non-essential coal-fired generators during weekends when power demand is low.

However, if LNG supply instability becomes a reality, the government will consider raising the operating rate of coal-fired power plants during periods when the impact of yellow dust and fine particulate matter is minimal. In this process, the government aims to prevent a rapid increase in fine particulate emissions even as power generation rises, by expanding the use of low-sulfur coal and increasing the operation of air pollution control facilities.

Although international crude oil and natural gas prices have recently increased due to the Middle East situation, the government believes that the direct impact on electricity rates has been limited so far, as there is a certain time lag before these changes are reflected in the power market price. However, if high prices persist over a long period and LNG imports face disruptions, the impact on the power market could grow significantly. Therefore, the government is also proactively considering measures to stabilize electricity rates.

To minimize the impact of the situation in the Middle East, the government plans to explore ways to mitigate the link between rising power market prices and increases in electricity rates. Furthermore, the government considers expanding the adoption of renewable energy such as solar power a fundamental response. It will swiftly execute this year's budget for renewable energy supply and financing projects, and work in collaboration with relevant authorities to promptly resolve on-site obstacles in permitting and grid connection processes.

Minister Kim Sung-hwan stated, "Our country's energy system is highly dependent on imported fossil fuels, making it vulnerable to international energy price fluctuations. Rapidly transitioning to a renewable energy-centered structure is the key to energy security, as it addresses both dependence on energy imports and decarbonization."

Meanwhile, on the same day, Minister Kim will also visit the southwestern region of Gyeonggi Province to review progress on the transition to renewable energy. He is scheduled to visit the planned expansion site of the Sihwa Tidal Power Plant, rooftop solar power installations at the Sihwa National Industrial Complex, the electric vehicle production facility at Kia Autoland Hwaseong Plant, and the Korea District Heating Corporation's electrode boiler demonstration site.

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