Assessing Regional Power Demand to Build Factories and Data Centers... Introduction of Power Grid Information Disclosure

Introduction of Power System Information Disclosure System and Power System Impact Assessment制度

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] A 'Power System Information Disclosure System' that provides regional power demand information in advance for companies to utilize from the investment stage will be established. A 'Power System Impact Assessment System' that analyzes the impact of large-scale power consumption facilities on the system in advance to ensure stable system operation will also be introduced.

On the 18th, Park Kiyoung, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, visited the KT Data Center in Mokdong, Seoul, to check the power system situation in the metropolitan area and discuss stable system operation measures such as the introduction of the power system impact assessment system. As the national greenhouse gas reduction target (NDC) is raised by 2030 and the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 progresses with the expansion of renewable energy supply and electrification in the industrial sector, the importance of stable power supply is increasing.

At the meeting, priority was given to discussing measures to evenly distribute power demand concentrated in specific areas such as the metropolitan area to enhance the stability of the power system. This is because the gap between regional power demand and supply has gradually widened, necessitating system connection, continuous power grid reinforcement, and power demand dispersion.

KEPCO plans to establish within this year the Power System Information Disclosure System that reveals the power system reserve status by 42 regional zones, supporting companies to consider system conditions in advance at the investment planning stage. Once the power system impact assessment system is legislated, the government will also prepare detailed implementation plans.

KT announced that for energy-intensive facilities such as data centers, it plans to realize carbon neutrality by 2050 through eco-friendly management, including promoting energy efficiency and expanding solar power self-sufficient facilities.

Additionally, the government and KEPCO will continuously reinforce the power grid by investing 29.3 trillion won by 2034 according to the recently established '9th Long-term Transmission and Transformation Facility Plan.'