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Transmission network bottlenecks lead to power output reductions in South Korea

  • a day ago (2024-10-16)
  • David Flin
Asia 882 Distribution 120 Transmission 186

The Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant in Yeonggwang, South Jeolia Province, South Korea, located in a region with a high concentration of renewable energy sources, has had to reduce its power production five times in the first half of the year due to limitations in the transmission and distribution network.

EP Shanghai 2024
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EP Shanghai 2024

During the first half of 2024, 163.2 GWh of output had to be foregone due to transmission line capacity reaching its limits. Restrictions are particularly severe in transmissions to the metropolitan area from the east coast, and to demand centres from the Honam region, encompassing North and South Jeolla provinces. These bottlenecks in the transmission network have forced power plants to reduce output to prevent overloading the system.

The situation was further exacerbated in July when the Shinjecheon substation experienced issues, causing Hanul Units 1 and 6 and Shin Hanul Unit 1 to reduce operations. This followed a similar event in Spring 2023 when the Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant had to reduce power production on five separate occasions.