South Korea warns of rolling power blackouts after nuclear closures

• 11 years ago (2012-11-17)
• David Flin

North America 998 Nuclear 640

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South Korea has announced that it may have to bring in rolling power blackouts this winter after the closure of nuclear power plants for safety checks. This closure will result in the country having just 28 per cent of its normal reserve capacity, expected to be 1270 MW in January, out of a total of 80 GW of total capacity under normal circumstances. A government official said that there were plans to add 4000 MW of power supply capacity through savings and new plants.

A statement from the Economy Ministry said that the government aims to supply an additional 1270 MW through new power plants and boosting output from existing private and public power generators. The measures include 400 MW from existing power generators, 830 MW from completing a LNG power plant one month earlier, by the end of December, and delaying the closure of a 40 MW fuel oil power plant by six months until March 2013. The ministry also said that at existing thermal power plants, higher calorific coal could be used to increase power generation.

The South Korean government plans to reduce consumption by over 3000 MW through measures such as turning off lights and setting thermostats in firms and public places at 18-20°C, lower than usual. Fines of $2800 can be imposed for breaches. About 6000 firms and public places where electricity consumption is relatively high will have to cut power consumption by 10 per cent in January and February.

Other measures include turning off neon signs and lighting in public buildings, and encouraging people to wear thermal underwear. There will also be a new flexible power pricing scheme that will charge 3-5 times more at peak hours from January.

If excess power capacity falls below 4000 MW, voltage will be reduced and emergency power generators used at public places.

If the margin falls below 3000 MW, major power consumers will be encouraged to further cut consumption through “incentives and penalties”.

If the margin falls below 2000 MW, the government will conduct rolling blackouts in the public sector, according to the statement. A ministry source said that if it fell below 1000 MW, then it is likely that national rolling blackouts would be introduced.