ID :
208358
Tue, 09/20/2011 - 16:46
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/208358
The shortlink copeid
Seoul begins taking blackout damage claims
SEOUL, Sept. 20 (Yonhap) -- The government began accepting claims Tuesday from businesses who suffered losses from blackouts caused by low electricity reserves last week.
A total of 550 claims worth 6 billion won (US$5.2 million) had been filed as of late Tuesday evening at 294 centers throughout the nation, according to the Ministry of Knowledge Economy.
The government was forced to cut power supplies to some 2 million households on Thursday as unexpectedly high temperatures pushed demands to a new seasonal high, while lowering reserves to what authorities called "dangerous levels."
The country's sole electricity service provider, Korea Electric Power Corp., and its state-run power distributor, Korea Power Exchange, initially said reserve levels had shrunk to 3 million kilowatts. The ministry later charged the two organizations of submitting a false report and said reserves fell as low as 800,000 kilowatts, which could have caused a nationwide blackout.
The scope and size of compensation for damages caused by the cuts will be decided at a later date, according to the ministry.
Any individuals or businesses that suffered damages may file claims at any of the claim centers before Oct. 4 and must submit documents to prove their loss by Oct. 10.
A total of 550 claims worth 6 billion won (US$5.2 million) had been filed as of late Tuesday evening at 294 centers throughout the nation, according to the Ministry of Knowledge Economy.
The government was forced to cut power supplies to some 2 million households on Thursday as unexpectedly high temperatures pushed demands to a new seasonal high, while lowering reserves to what authorities called "dangerous levels."
The country's sole electricity service provider, Korea Electric Power Corp., and its state-run power distributor, Korea Power Exchange, initially said reserve levels had shrunk to 3 million kilowatts. The ministry later charged the two organizations of submitting a false report and said reserves fell as low as 800,000 kilowatts, which could have caused a nationwide blackout.
The scope and size of compensation for damages caused by the cuts will be decided at a later date, according to the ministry.
Any individuals or businesses that suffered damages may file claims at any of the claim centers before Oct. 4 and must submit documents to prove their loss by Oct. 10.
