Deputy Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment Lee Ho-hyun visited the power system operation site to assess the power supply situation and emergency response system ahead of the Chuseok holiday.
On September 22, the Ministry reported that Deputy Minister Lee visited the Korea Power Exchange's Central Headquarters in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, to review the power supply situation in preparation for the Chuseok holiday with officials from the Korea Power Exchange, Korea Electric Power Corporation, and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power.
During the inspection meeting, Deputy Minister Lee examined the power supply outlook for the Chuseok holiday and generator operation plans, focusing on stabilizing supply by increasing demand during the low-demand period on the Gyeongbu Highway.
He also closely reviewed the response system for emergencies such as disasters and the backup management system between the power exchange's control center.
The Central Headquarters of the Korea Power Exchange typically shares responsibilities with the Central Power Control Center for domestic power system operations. It has a system in place to continue operating the national power system even if the Central Power Control Center halts operations due to an emergency.
This year, total power demand on Chuseok Day is projected to reach 49.4 GW. The forecast has been adjusted due to expected higher temperatures during the holiday period compared to initial estimates. This figure is 1.1 GW lower than the 50.5 GW demand recorded on Chuseok in 2025.
In response to the anticipated significant decrease in power demand during the holiday, the government will implement measures to increase electricity consumption during daytime hours.
From September 24 to 27, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., users of self-consumption electric vehicle chargers directly supplied by Korea Electric Power Corporation will receive a 100% discount on electricity charges. Approximately 102,000 charging facilities installed in private homes will be eligible.
Additionally, about 18,000 public electric vehicle chargers operated by the Ministry and Korea Electric Power Corporation will reduce charging fees to 50% of the usual rate during the same hours.
If there is an oversupply of electricity, a 'Plus DR' program will encourage users to voluntarily increase their electricity consumption. However, if oversupply occurs due to increased generation from solar and other sources on clear days, output control measures will be implemented to ensure the stability of the power system.
Deputy Minister Lee stated, "The Chuseok holiday period sees significant fluctuations in power demand, making careful management essential for stable power supply. We will do our utmost to ensure that the public can enjoy a worry-free Chuseok holiday with a stable power supply and system operation."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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