Korea Electrical Safety Corp. (KESCO)

 President Park Cheol-gon

    Korea Electrical Safety Corp. (KESCO) has adopted an emergency footing to brace for a power shortage crisis during the summer months.

KESCO came up with preemptive preparedness steps against power blackouts in three categories -- prevention of electricity supply disruptions, implementing in-house energy conservation steps, and publicizing the general public’s efforts to converse power.

KESCO has become the first energy-related public entity to take preemptive countermeasures against blackouts following the announcement by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) on May 31 about the prospects for this summer’s power supply and steps that will be taken to prevent power shortages.

The corporation has inaugurated a summer emergency power supply committee headed by KESCO President Park Cheol-gon, which relays the real-time status of power supply and demand to KESCO’s 60 site operations across the nation and puts site emergency crews on standby to provide support for the operation of emergency generators. In particular, the company has raised the number of emergency generators at public organizations subject to checkups from 954 units, each with more than 500kW, to 9,142 units, each with less than 500kW, contributing to adding 200,00kW to power reserves. 

KESCO has decided to maximize its resources available as much as possible, particularly dispatching 100-odd crews to large-scale transmission, distribution, and transformer station sites to provide support to ensure the safety of facilities. 

In addition, KESCO has signed an agreement with 1,412 large-sized power customers to conserve electricity in order to secure about 60,000kW in reserves, while also checking 63,000 commercial generators owned by the private sector in order to make them ready for their operation. 

The summer emergency power supply committee will be operated by the end of September when the power supply situation is stabilized, KESCO said. 

KESCO has decided to participate in MOTIE’s call for public entities to reduce electricity consumption by 15 percent during the summer compared to last year and cut down on power by more  than 20 percent during power peak hours — from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

KESCO plans to raise the beneficiaries of free energy-efficient electrical devices and system replacements from 1,004 households in 2012 to 2,008 homes in 2013.

In an effort to prevent power failures, 96,600 street lamps, traffic signals and electrical equipment at rainwater pump stations and other facilities as well as those at public entries and 1,630 large-sized apartment complexes will undergo examinations. 

KESCO crews will provide customers-specific tips on how to conserve electricity while conducting examinations on electrical equipment. About 2.92 million houses and general users of electricity will be given tips on the receipt of incentives for conserving electricity. Some 40,000 factories with power generating equipment for private use will be advised to choose an optional peak time charging rate and to readjust their operational time during power peak time.

People across the nation are advised to follow a code of conduct on conserving electricity. They are asked to keep indoor temperatures higher than 28 degrees Centigrade. 

The operation of air-conditioners and coolers will be alternated differently according to regions to reduce consumption during peak power times. People in Seoul, Gyeongsangnam-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Chungcheongnam-do, Jeollanam-do, Daegu, Daejeon, and Jeju Island will be advised to stop air-conditioners and coolers between 2 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. and between 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. and between 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. The stoppage will be enforced between 2:15 p.m. and 3 p.m., between 3:30 and 4 p.m., and between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. in Gyeonggi-do, Incheon, Gwangju, Busan, Ulsan, Jeollabuk-do, Chungcheongbuk-do, and Gangwon-do.