Minister of Industry: "Despite the surge in power demand due to the cold wave, supply and demand were well maintained"

Visit to Bundang Power Headquarters on the 18th... On-site Inspection of Winter Power Supply
"Thorough Management of Remaining Winter Power Supply and Fine Dust Reduction"

Sung Yoon-mo, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] "In January, despite record-breaking cold waves and heavy snowfall causing the maximum power demand during the winter supply and demand management period to exceed 90 million kW for the first time, a stable power supply and demand situation was maintained."

On the 18th, Sung Yun-mo, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, praised Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), Korea Power Exchange (KPX), power generation companies, and other related power agencies for collaborating to successfully overcome the 'power outage crisis.'

Minister Sung visited the Bundang Power Plant headquarters in the afternoon to inspect the winter power supply and demand management situation and encouraged the on-site workers.

Earlier, on the 11th, the maximum power demand reached 90.56 million kW, setting a record high. The demand surged due to the record-breaking cold wave and heavy snowfall.

Minister Sung encouraged, "This is the result of the collaborative efforts of KEPCO, KPX, power generation companies, and other agencies in managing power supply and demand."

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy had to maintain power supply while reducing coal power generation in accordance with the seasonal fine dust management policy.

Under the 'Winter Power Supply and Demand and Coal Power Reduction Measures,' from December 1 last year, coal power plants units 12 to 17 were shut down, and units 26 to 36 were subject to output restrictions. As a result, fine dust emissions in December decreased by about 36% compared to the previous year.

Minister Sung urged, "I hope the public will continue to support stable power supply management and fine dust reduction so that everyone can spend this winter warmly and cleanly."

He also mentioned, "To reduce fine dust in spring, we plan to announce additional 'Spring Power Supply and Demand Management and Coal Power Reduction Measures' next month."