Korea's power reserve sinking with early arrival of summer peak

[Photo by Park Hyung-ki]

Power supply has turned unstable in South Korea ahead of the usual summer peak in July and August, with the reserve ratio hitting annual lows amidst heat wave.

According to the Korea Power Exchange, power reserve ratio plunged to 12.2 percent on Tuesday, hitting a new annual low after 12.4 percent on May 23.

Maximum demand hit 81,164 megawatts (MW) on the day the mercury hit above 30 degrees Celsius across the country versus total capacity of 91,054MW, placing reserve at 9,930MW.

Last month, electricity consumption surged due to early arrival of heat wave, with monthly use at 66,243MW, 4.5 percent higher from a year ago and highest for May.

Energy authorities went into emergency checkup to prevent a blackout on forecast of hotter summer and normalization from virus restrictions.

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