South Korea, hit by an exceptional heatwave, saw its energy demand reach an all-time high of 94.6 gigawatts (GW).
This new record surpasses the previous peak of 94.5 GW, observed last December during a cold snap.
This increase is explained by an intensification of air-conditioning needs, especially in densely populated urban areas such as the Seoul metropolitan region.
The authorities reacted swiftly by maximizing the capacity of nuclear reactors and liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plants, to ensure a stable supply.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) confirms that these adjustments are helping to maintain the integrity of the power grid, despite increased pressure on energy infrastructure.
Managing reserves and available capacity
Despite high demand, South Korea has managed to maintain an energy reserve of 10.2 GW, equivalent to a ratio of 10.7%.
This level is sufficient to prevent any risk of supply disruption, even in an emergency. Nuclear reactors, although partially under maintenance, continue to play a crucial role in this strategy. Currently, six reactors, representing 19.4% of the country’s nuclear capacity, are offline for maintenance.
Nevertheless, the authorities say they are ready to adjust operations by activating new capacity, if necessary. The use of LNG-fired power plants in the test phase is also being considered to boost supply, especially if the heatwave persists.
This proactive management approach helps prevent shortages while optimizing available resources.
A major climate challenge
The current heat wave, described as one of the most severe in a century, is putting considerable pressure on the South Korean power grid.
Persistently high temperatures, including overnight, are exacerbating demand, particularly for cooling homes and critical infrastructure.
Seoul, for example, records night-time temperatures in excess of 25 degrees Celsius, a phenomenon which increases electricity consumption.
Weather forecasts indicate that this situation could persist, posing an additional challenge to grid operators.
The ability to maintain sufficient reserves will be essential to get through this period without major incident, while meeting the growing needs of the population and industry.
