Kepco apologizes for blackout in Ulsan that affected 150,000 homes

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Kepco apologizes for blackout in Ulsan that affected 150,000 homes

Published: 07 Dec. 2023, 11:06 Updated: 07 Dec. 2023, 15:59

PARK EUN-JEE
[email protected]

A police officer uses hand signals to control traffic in Ulsan as traffic lights turned off due to a blackout on Wednesday. [YONHAP]

Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco) apologized Thursday for the massive blackout in Ulsan that affected over 155,000 households and more than 100 traffic lights on Wednesday.

The state-run utility said the disruption was caused during the process of replacing an old switchgear at a substation, but the exact cause of the blackout has not been confirmed yet.

Blackout in Ulsan sparks havoc and endangers residents

“It is suspected that there was an electrical breakdown in the switchgear, and a more thorough investigation is taking place,” Kepco said in a statement.

The blackout occurred at 3:37 p.m., and electricity was restored by 5:40 p.m. the same day.

The company said it will come up with measures to prevent recurrence.

“Kepco deeply apologies for the substantial inconvenience for the public,” it said. “We will launch an inspection team of inside and outside experts to determine the root cause and prevent recurrence.”

Kepco President Kim Dong-cheol convened an emergency meeting at 9 a.m. on Wednesday to discuss ways to guarantee a stable supply of electricity throughout the winter season.

The Ulsan city government sent out an emergency message at 3:40 p.m. Wednesday notifying that a blackout had occurred around the Ok-dong area in Nam District.

Due to the blackout, some 140 traffic lights went out, and a surge of 119 emergency calls took place.

BY PARK EUN-JEE [[email protected]]