The heat in the summer is intense, electricity demand is climbing every day

Electricity demand in South Korea, which remained below 70 GW until early July this year, has gradually increased due to hot weather during the summer.

Hàn Quốc: Nhu cầu điện tăng đột biến do nắng nóng trong mùa Hè

Severe heat in Seoul, South Korea. (Source: Yonhap)

South Korea is experiencing a historic heat wave and electricity demand is expected to surge further next week as temperatures reach their peak.

South Korea's Ministry of Interior and Security has raised its weather emergency response level to level 2, or "severe."

To proactively respond, domestic electricity agencies, which have established emergency supply strategies, continue to improve management to prevent sudden power outages or interruptions in electricity supply.

According to the national electricity statistics information system, from July 1 to August 5, Korea's power reserve is recorded at a stable level of about 20% of demand.

When the power supply reserve ratio, which is the remaining power ratio in the total actual power supply capacity of the manufacturing plant, is usually maintained at 10% or more, it means that the supply situation is assessed to be capable of responding to unexpected situations such as sudden demand increases or incidents.

Electricity demand in South Korea, which remained below 70 GW until early July this year, has gradually increased due to hot weather during the summer.

Since July 17, when the heavy rains ended, electricity demand has increased to a high of over 80GW/day. The highest electricity demand this summer was recorded on July 27, when it soared to 87GW (87,033 MW). However, the Korean power authorities have secured a supply capacity of 102.2GW (102,234 MW) and recorded a reserve ratio of 18%, managing stable electricity supply and demand.

During the period from July 1 to August 5, the lowest supply reserve ratio was recorded at 17%, so there was no significant disruption in electricity supply and demand.

However, authorities predict that after the first week of August, when the concentrated summer holidays end, industrial activities resume massively and the heat reaches its peak, electricity demand will continue to be tense.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy expects electricity demand in South Korea to reach an all-time high around August 10, when electricity consumption could reach 92.5 to 97.8 gigawatts per day; it also warned authorities not to loosen management to prevent incidents.

The ministry has added measures to ensure backup power by testing backup generators and preparing plans to quickly respond to emergency situations.

This is the first time in four years that South Korea has reissued a severe heat warning.

Source