Electricity demand surges due to Typhoon ‘Jongdari’

As Typhoon Jongdari moved north, electricity demand increased according to the power authorities’ predicted scenario. As hot and humid air came in, hot weather continued across the country, and in particular, as solar power generation decreased due to cloudy weather in the Honam region, electricity demand soared. Today’s peak electricity demand was 97.1GW (provisional) as of 5 p.m., the highest ever, but power supply and demand were managed stably with reserve capacity of 8.2GW (reserve rate 8.5%).

Previous record peak power demand: 93.6 GW in summer (5 p.m. on August 7, 2023) and 94.5 GW including winter (11 a.m. on December 23, 2022).

Second Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Choi Nam-ho convened an emergency meeting with power-related organizations at 4:45 pm on this day to check the power supply and demand situation and confirm damage prevention measures due to the approaching typhoon. Vice Minister Choi evaluated, “Even in the face of increased power demand, additional supply capacity was secured through flexible operation of the transmission network, and stable reserve capacity was maintained thanks to cooperation in reducing demand, such as energy conservation by public institutions and adjustment of operation rates by businesses.” . In addition, he requested related organizations to thoroughly manage the typhoon to prevent equipment failure and damage during the passage of the typhoon so as to avoid inconvenience to people’s lives and business activities. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy reported that electricity demand could still remain high even on Wednesday and Thursday of this week after the typhoon passed, and requested all citizens to participate in energy conservation, such as observing an appropriate indoor temperature (26℃).

Editor. 홍세영