Electricity demand expected to peak this week

Economy

Published: 07 Aug. 2023, 15:07 Updated: 07 Aug. 2023, 17:51

Electricity demand expected to peak this week

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Chang-yang, right, inspects a power generation facility at the Seoul Power Generation site under the Korea Midland Power in Mapo District, western Seoul, Monday. [JOINT PRESS CORPORATION]

With Typhoon Khanun pushing warm air towards the Korean peninsula and heatwaves surging across the country, electricity demand is expected to peak this week, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy Monday.

The ministry estimated the power demand to peak at 92.9 gigawatts from Monday through Tuesday afternoon, with temperatures surging partly due to Typhoon Khanun approaching the southeastern coast of the country and industrial facilities ramping up operations after the summer break.

The power supply capacity stands at 104.5 gigawatts, up from last week’s 103.8 gigawatts, as the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission approved the restart of the Hanbit-2 reactor on Friday.

The 1-gigawatt Hanbit-2 nuclear reactor was temporarily halted due to a failure on July 24 and turned back on Sunday after inspection.

Last summer, the power demand peaked at 93 gigawatts on July 7 with the power supply capacity standing at 99.7 gigawatts.

Energy Minister Lee Chang-yang on Monday visited the Seoul Power Generation site in Mapo District, western Seoul, to inspect the power generation facilities at the site ahead of the summer peak.

“We have secured a sufficient electricity capacity with nuclear reactors, coal power plants and more ahead of the peak demand this week, but as there may be other variables such as unexpectedly surging heatwaves or a slump in solar power output, we will closely monitor the real-time situation and manage the power supply capacity with care,” Lee said.

“It is the public who eventually decides the power demand,” he added, urging the Korean public to take part in the energy-saving campaign during the summer peak.

BY SHIN HA-NEE [shin.hanee@joongang.co.kr]