On July 1, as most parts of the country remain under heat wave advisories, a fountain operates in front of the “Burning Earth” sculpture at the Daegu Citizen Safety Theme Park in Dong-gu, Daegu. The city recorded an average daily temperature of 30.7°C the previous day — the hottest June day since weather observations began there in January 1907. (Photo: Yonhap)
SEOUL, July 10 (Korea Bizwire) — As South Korea swelters under an unrelenting heat wave, power demand is surging to historic highs, raising concerns over energy reserves and public health.
This week, temperatures in Seoul soared to a blistering 37.7 degrees Celsius — the hottest early July reading since records began in 1908. Nearby cities such as Gwangmyeong and Paju pushed past 40 degrees, fueling what could soon become the country’s most power-hungry summer on record.
According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, electricity consumption is expected to peak at 97.8 gigawatts (GW) in the coming weeks — surpassing the previous high of 97.1 GW set just last August. On Tuesday alone, the country registered its second-highest demand ever at 95.7 GW, as air conditioners blasted across homes and offices battling the searing heat.
With the extreme weather showing no signs of letting up, officials warn that the average temperature for early July could reach an all-time high. And with August — typically Korea’s hottest month — still ahead, the strain on the national grid may only deepen.
An electronic signboard in Seoul shows the temperature on July 9, 2025. (Yonhap)
To prepare for the pressure, the government has secured an additional 8.7 GW in power reserves, supplementing its existing 8.8 GW buffer. The move is part of a broader emergency response aimed at preventing blackouts and ensuring energy security during what could be a summer for the record books.
Recognizing the financial stress high temperatures can bring, authorities have also adjusted the progressive electricity rate system for July and August to soften the blow of soaring bills. Energy vouchers are being distributed to low-income households, offering some relief as the heat continues to bear down.
For now, the nation watches the skies — and the thermostats — hoping the worst of the heatwave has already passed. But with long-term forecasts pointing to continued high temperatures into September, South Korea is bracing for a long, hot summer.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
