Moon's 'Find Hidden Solar Power' Directive... Ministry of Industry: Solar Power's Peak Contribution 11.1%

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on the 4th that the proportion of solar power generation accounted for 11.1% of the total electricity demand during the peak hours (2-4 PM) in July when electricity demand was highest.

This analysis was based on an estimate including solar power generation that does not participate in the electricity market. As solar power generation partially meets daytime electricity demand, the peak electricity demand hours have shifted from the previous 2-3 PM to recently 4-5 PM.

Solar power generation is categorized into large-scale solar power (generation capacity 5.1 GW) that sells electricity through the electricity market mediated by the Korea Power Exchange, solar power under Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) directly contracted with Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) (11.5 GW), and self-consumption solar power installed on residential roofs, etc. (3.7 GW). Solar power participating in the electricity market is reflected in electricity supply and demand statistics, but KEPCO PPA and self-consumption solar power installed on roofs were not included in the supply and demand statistics.

After President Moon Jae-in instructed on the 27th of last month to prepare an estimation method for solar power generation not captured in electricity statistics, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy estimated the total solar power generation by reflecting the generation capacity and hourly utilization rates of KEPCO PPA and self-consumption solar power.

According to the Ministry, the proportion of solar power generation measured in the actual electricity market during peak hours was 1.7%, but including solar power generation outside the electricity market increased it to a maximum of 11.1%.

The Ministry plans to calculate and disclose daily and monthly statistics of total solar power generation including KEPCO PPA and self-consumption solar power generation to clarify the contribution of solar power generation to electricity supply and demand. Starting next month, hourly estimated statistics will be disclosed the following day through the 'Electricity Information' application, and monthly estimated statistics will be published through the Electricity Statistics Monthly Report. Support will also be provided for the installation of real-time information provision devices for KEPCO PPA solar power.