This summer, power demand could soar to unprecedented levels due to a combination of heat waves and cloudy weather. The government is preparing over 8 GW of backup capacity and will maintain an emergency response system until mid-September.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment held a power supply meeting on June 25 at the Seoul Power Generation Headquarters, led by Minister Kim Sung-hwan, where they announced the "Summer Power Supply Outlook and Measures."
Power authorities project that peak power demand this summer could reach between 94.1 GW and 98.8 GW during the third week of August. This increase is attributed to prolonged heat waves coinciding with reduced solar power generation due to cloudy conditions.
This forecast exceeds the previous record peak of 97.1 GW set on August 20, 2024. Last year, peak power demands also surpassed 95 GW, with figures of 96.0 GW on August 25 and 95.7 GW on July 8.
The impact of cloudy weather on power demand is linked to the growing share of renewable energy. As cooling demand rises during the summer, reduced solar output from cloudy days can significantly strain the power supply system.
In response, the government has secured a supply capacity of 107 GW, an increase of 2 GW from the previous year. Even if peak demand reaches the upper forecast of 98.8 GW, the ministry believes that the backup capacity of 8.2 GW will be sufficient to manage the situation. Backup capacity refers to the extra power available to respond immediately to unexpected increases in demand or equipment failures.
Additionally, the period from June 29 to September 18 will be designated as a power supply response period, during which relevant agencies will maintain an emergency response posture. An emergency response team will be operational from July 6 to August 28, when peak demand is expected to be highest.
The government and power agencies will conduct preemptive inspections of vulnerable facilities and enhance preventive measures, including replacing aging equipment. They are also preparing approximately 8.8 GW of additional backup resources to address potential sudden failures due to heavy rain, typhoons, or extreme heat.
Measures to alleviate the burden on citizens will also be implemented. The government plans to ease the electricity rate tier system during July and August. The first tier will be adjusted from the current 0-200 kWh to 0-300 kWh, and the second tier will change from 200-400 kWh to 300-450 kWh.
For vulnerable populations, the cap on summer electricity bill reductions will be increased to 20,000 won per month. Even if bills are unpaid, electricity will continue to be provided without current restrictions during the months of July to September.
Minister Kim Sung-hwan stated, "The government and power agencies will establish a robust power supply crisis response system to support the daily lives of citizens and ensure stable economic activities for businesses and industries. I urge representatives from all agencies to ensure that workers at power generation sites during the summer operate in a safe environment."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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