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Power Demand Projected to Hit Record High of 96.7 GW Amid Extreme Heat... "Supply Will Remain Stable"
Published : Aug 10, 2026 4:14 PM
▲ Officials monitor the power supply and demand status at the Grid Operation Center of the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) Gyeonggi Provincial Office in Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, as electricity demand rises amid a persistent heat wave, Aug. 10.
Amid the ongoing sweltering heat, the Korea Power Exchange (KPX) has projected that power demand will reach up to 96.7 gigawatts (GW) this week.
The KPX announced on the 10th that power demand for the second week of August (Aug. 10–14) is expected to range between 92.9 and 96.7 GW.
If these projections hold, it could surpass the peak power demand recorded on the 7th of this summer (95.321 GW).
Power authorities expect electricity demand to gradually increase starting this week as summer vacations conclude and industrial operation rates recover.
If the heat wave and tropical nights persist for a prolonged period, there is also a possibility of breaking the all-time record for maximum power demand (97.115 GW).
The KPX explained that there will be no issues with power supply and demand this week.
"Power reserves are expected to be between 10.3 and 14.4 GW (with a reserve margin of 10.7% to 15.5%), meaning power supply and demand will remain stable," the KPX stated.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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