Hot summer stokes electricity shortage concerns
Published: 15 Jun. 2011, 20:54
“We’re predicting this summer to be hotter than last year, with temperature to be between 28.8 degrees Celsius (83.8 degrees Fahrenheit) and 33.3 degrees Celsius,” said Kim Wan-soo, an official from the Korea Power Exchange. “And the more developed a country’s economy is, the more influence temperature has on its electricity demand.”
Kim explained that an average increase in temperature by one degree Celsius during summer months adds energy demand equivalent to 2 million kilowatt-hours.
According to the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, last month’s overall electricity sales to educational institutions, homes and retailers rose 4.9 percent to 35.5 billion kilowatt-hours. Energy used by households rose 1.3 percent in May compared to the previous year because of higher than normal temperatures. In May 2010, the average temperature was 17.6 degrees Celsius, while this year it was 18 degrees Celsius. Because temperatures are expected to be higher this summer than last summer, the government has taken preemptive measures to prevent shortages of electricity from crippling the economy.
“In recent years, we’ve been trying to promote energy-saving measures more aggressively, as we expect energy demand to reach its peak,” said Kwon Oh-jung, an official from the ministry.
Kwon said the government will continue to advise the service sector, which includes department stores and banks, to voluntarily keep indoor air-conditioning to no lower than 26 degrees Celsius. It will also ask restaurants, supermarkets and airports to set their air conditioners no lower than 25 degrees Celsius.
The government will regulate the use of air-conditioning in large buildings that consume more than 2,000 tons of oil equivalent (TOE) of energy during peak hours, and if they are found to be in violation of the measure, they will face a fine of up to 3 million won ($2,769).
The plan didn’t work out so well last year. Some businesses in the service sector preferred to pay fines, rather than let temperatures in their building rise and suffer a loss of customers.
The Korea Power Exchange will hold a meeting next Monday to go over measures in case of a possible energy shortage this summer.
“This summer will be extremely hot, especially in July and August,” said Ryu Hyung-woo, an official from the Korea Power Exchange. “Though the meeting is held regularly at this time every year, discussions on energy supply will be more serious than last year with rising temperatures.”
By Lee Eun-joo [angie@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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