▲ Solar power generation facilities
As record-breaking heat waves last month caused cooling demand to surge, peak power demand in the electricity market soared to the fifth-highest level on record.
In particular, solar power generation was found to have accounted for about one-quarter of total power demand.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced on the 1st that power demand within the electricity market reached 95.3 GW (gigawatts) at 3 p.m. on the 7th of last month.
The all-time peak power demand was 97.1 GW recorded on August 20, 2024, followed by 96.0 GW on August 25, 2025, 95.7 GW on July 8, 2025, and 95.6 GW on August 19, 2024.
Last month, as the 1st fell on a Saturday and most industrial plants went on summer vacation after operating until the last week of July, the industrial operation rate during the first week remained low.
However, as the North Pacific and Tibetan high-pressure systems simultaneously blanketed the Korean Peninsula, record-breaking heat waves with daytime highs exceeding 40°C (104°F) continued across the country. Consequently, cooling demand surged, causing this summer's peak power demand to occur despite the vacation season.
The Ministry analyzed that if industrial plants had not gone on summer vacation and operated normally, power demand would have increased to 100.1 GW based on the electricity market standard.
It estimated that based on total power system demand, including non-centralized generation and self-generation demand, it would have reached 106.8 GW.
Solar power generation also played a significant role in power supply during the heat wave period.
When total power demand, combining both inside and outside the electricity market, hit 97.1 GW at 3 p.m. on the 3rd of last month, solar power facilities participating in the market supplied 7.2 GW.
Solar power facilities outside the electricity market, such as those under third-party power purchase agreements (PPAs) and private facilities, supplied 17.4 GW.
Combined, the solar power supply reached 24.6GW, covering approximately 25% of the total power demand.
The Ministry projected that combining energy storage systems (ESS) with solar power in the future would store electricity produced during daytime hours and supply it during evening hours when power demand is high, further contributing to the stability of the power grid.
The Ministry stated, "Starting this month, generators will enter scheduled preventive maintenance in preparation for the peak winter load season, and power supply capacity is scheduled to gradually decrease," adding, "We will maintain a state of emergency response and do our utmost to ensure a stable power supply."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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