(LEAD) Cold snap causes power reserve to fall to 'unsafe' levels: official

(ATTN: UPDATES with more details in paras 3, 7; ADDS more details, comments in paras
9-12)

SEOUL, Jan. 12 (Yonhap) -- Unusually cold winter weather is causing the nation's
power reserve to fall to "unsafe" levels, potentially leading to wide-scale
blackouts, a senior government official warned Tuesday.
Minister of Knowledge Economy Choi Kyung-hwan said in a press conference the
country used up a record amount of power last week, much of it for heating,
peaking at 68.56 million kilowatts as of 11 a.m. on Friday.
"This is 5.35 million kilowatts more than the 63.21 kilowatts used during the
peak of summer last year and is equivalent to the output of the four nuclear
reactors South Korea plans to build for the United Arab Emirates," he said,
adding that a critical moment may come next week, when the country's weather
service predicts a deep cold spell.
Reserves have fallen to 6.4 percent of total demand, or just 4.41 million
kilowatts, well below the 6.00 million kilowatts that power companies say is
needed to ensure emergency backup in case of an unforeseen problem in the
country's generation capacity.
The official attributed the surge in demand to people turning up electric heaters
in homes and offices with the onset of sub-zero temperatures. The steady pace of
the economic recovery has also contributed to overall power use because factories
are increasing production to meet demand.
"Unless people reduce electricity use, demand could surpass 70 million kilowatts
and cause reserve rates to fall below 4.00 million kilowatts, which would be
viewed as an 'emergency' situation," Choi said.
The senior policymaker said the government is moving to increase supply by
627,000 kilowatts by putting on-line three power plants undergoing trials, and
taking steps to reduce consumption by 1.20 million kilowatts by managing the
country's electric power load system if the power reserve falls below 6.00
million kilowatts. A contingency plan is in place to get large businesses to turn
on internal generators to reduce overall national demand.
He also stressed that the public sector will do its part to reduce power
consumption and asked ordinary citizens and large shops such as department stores
and malls must try to reduce power use.
"There will be unannounced spot checks on 8,200 public buildings to check if
people are using up too much electricity for heating, with workers told to turn
off appliances that are not in use," he said. The minister said requests will be
made to the Federation of Korean Industries and Korea Chamber of Commerce and
Industry to win participation from the private sector.
The policymaker, meanwhile, said there is a need to revamp the country's
electricity power prices to reflect actual production costs.
"Unless actual production costs are reflected there is a possibility that demand
will continue to rise beyond what the country can meet," he said.
At present, government policymakers fearing inflationary pressure and
repercussions on everyday life have checked hikes in electricity prices.
South Korea usually witnesses power demand surges in the summer months when
people turn up air conditioners, but an increased supply of electric heaters and
air conditioners that can be used as heaters in winter has spurred power use.
Reports indicate that for every 1 C drop in temperature, the country's power
consumption goes up 409,000 kilowatts.
The mercury in Seoul fell to a low of minus 11.8 C when power consumption peaked
last Friday. Temperatures in Seoul fell as low as minus 13.6 C last week.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)

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