0531-Power shortage issue turns into national agenda

Nation is expected to face worst-ever power shortages this summer

By Seo Jee-yeon

The power shortage issue, triggered by the suspension of two nuclear reactors Tuesday due to the use of substandard components, is turning into a key national agenda as the country is expected to face the worst-ever lack of electricity summer this year.

The sudden shutdown of the Shin-Kori Reactor 2 in Busan and Shin-Wolsong Reactor 1 in North Gyeongsang Province increased the number of nuclear reactors suspended to 10, which raises a severe power shortage issue.

Korea currently runs 23 reactors, generating 30 percent of the nation’s total electricity generation.

“Ten reactors suspended take about 10 percent of the nation’s total power generation capacity,’’ an official from the Korea Electric Power Corp. said.

Considering the fact that Korea maintains a five to 10 percent reserve power rate and it takes three to six months for a change of parts or for a regular check-up, the power loss due to stoppage of multi-reactors at the same time could cause a blackout in the summer peak season.

This is why Trade, Industry and Energy vice Minister Han Jin-hyun, who is responsible for the nation’s energy policy, warned against a possible unprecedented supply shortage this in August when the summer heat peaks.

In the course of developing measures to cope with a power crisis, Hyun visited the National Assembly on Wednesday to explain of measures to prevent a possible power outage during the summer.

Following a regular policy coordination meeting among ministries slated for Friday, Prime Minister Chung Hong-won will make an announcement for the public to update them on how serious power shortage issue will be during this summer and to ask for help from citizens to join the upcoming power saving campaign, the Office for Government Policy Coordination said.

Industry watchers predicted the government will launch a large-scale power saving campaign nationwide, while asking corporations to cut power consumption.

”There is no means to significantly boost our generation capacity in a short period of time. We have no choice but to manage power demand to avoid a possible power crisis,’’ Han said.

The ministry forecast power demand is expected to go up to 79 million kilowatts this year, up from 77.27 million kilowatts last year.

Meanwhile, with the shutdown of the reactors, the nation’s total power generation capacity is expected to drop to about 77 million kilowatts. Therefore, at least, the government has to cut more than 20 million kilowatts power consumption during this summer.