Record Heat Breaks Power Consumption Records
24 July, 2018
Record summer heat has led to power consumers setting a new record as they desperately try to cool themselves.
The highest average power consumption reached 90.7 million kW/h between 4 and 5 p.m. on Monday, an all-time high according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The previous record was 88.24 million kW/h on Feb. 6.
The power reserve ratio fell to just 8.4 percent or 7.6 million kW, the lowest in 23 months and way below the minimum 10 million kW or 11 percent power reserve ratio set by the government to guarantee a stable power supply.
A man looks at an electronic board showing electricity supply at KEPCO in Seoul on Monday.
"Power demand soared sharply as the record-breaking heatwave persists," said Energy Minister Paik Un-gyu. "The government will be fully ready for a stable power supply this summer."
The ministry also said it could consider encouraging companies to decrease energy consumption.
TAG(s):