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Key Points

South Korea faced record-breaking power demand in July as a brutal heat wave drove up air conditioning use. The country saw 15 days with temperatures exceeding 33°C, the highest in decades. Authorities are bracing for even higher electricity consumption in August, with reserves in place. Tragically, the heat has already claimed 19 lives, highlighting the severity of this summer's extreme weather.

Key Points: South Korea Power Demand Hits Record High Amid July Heat Wave

  • July peak power demand hit 85 GW, highest since 1993
  • Heat wave led to 15 days above 33°C, 23 tropical nights
  • Government prepares for August peak demand of 97.8 GW
  • 19 heat-related deaths reported amid soaring temperatures
2 min read

South Korea's daily maximum power demand hits record high in July amid extreme heat wave

South Korea's electricity demand surged to a record high in July due to extreme heat, with peak usage reaching 85 GW as air conditioning use spiked.

"The record in July was driven by increased electricity consumption for air conditioning, as the heat wave persisted throughout the month. – Korea Power Exchange"

Seoul, Aug 3

South Korea's average daily maximum power demand hit a record high last month as the country endured one of the most severe summer heat waves on record, data showed on Sunday.

The country's peak power demand in July averaged 85 gigawatts, up 5.6 per cent from a year earlier, according to the Korea Power Exchange.

The reading marked the highest level for any July since 1993, when the government began compiling relevant data. The monthly high was recorded in August 2024, when the figure came to 87.8 GW.

The record in July was driven by increased electricity consumption for air conditioning, as the heat wave persisted throughout the month.

According to the state weather agency, the number of days with daily high temperatures reaching 33 degrees Celsius or higher totalled 15 days last month, more than four times the July average of 3.4 days over the past 53 years, since record-keeping began in 1973.

Tropical nights, where nighttime temperatures stayed above 25 degrees Celsius, persisted for a total of 23 days in July, the longest stretch since 1973.

The government expects peak electricity demand this summer to reach up to 97.8 GW in the second week of August and is maintaining a power reserve of around 10 GW.

The government is operating a comprehensive electricity supply control centre in cooperation with the state-run Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) and other related agencies, activating an emergency response system, officials said.

Additionally, according to the health authorities, a total of 19 people have died from heat-related illnesses in South Korea so far this year as the country endured severe heat waves.

More than 3,100 patients had visited emergency rooms for heat-related conditions as of Wednesday since mid-May, when authorities launched the heat-related illness surveillance system, and 19 have died, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
The statistics are shocking! 15 days above 33°C is extreme. In Mumbai, we're used to heat but this seems next level. My heart goes out to those who lost their lives. Governments worldwide need to take climate change more seriously.
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Arjun K
Interesting to see how developed nations handle power crises. In India, we face regular power cuts during peak summer. South Korea maintaining 10GW reserve is impressive planning. Maybe our discoms can learn something from their emergency response system.
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Sarah B
While the article focuses on power demand, the human cost is heartbreaking. 19 lives lost is tragic. We need global cooperation to address climate change before these extreme weather events become the new normal everywhere.
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Karthik V
The article mentions tropical nights - that's something we experience in coastal cities like Chennai too. But 23 days is extreme! Makes me wonder if we're prepared for such conditions in India. Our infrastructure needs serious upgrades to handle climate change impacts.
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Nisha Z
While I appreciate the data, the article could have explored more about how ordinary citizens are coping. In Delhi, we've developed our own ways to beat the heat - from traditional cooling methods to adjusting work hours. Maybe cultural adaptations are as important as technical solutions?

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