Power demand hits all-time high amid scorching heat

South Korea's electricity demand hit an all-time high Monday as the country was struck by scorching summer heat, data showed Tuesday. The country's maximum power demand reached 102.327 gigawatts between 2-3 p.m. Monday, surpassing the previous record of 100.571 GW set in August last year, according to the Korea Power Exchange. Solar energy accounted for 17.942 GW, or 17.5 percent, of the total supply at the previous day's peak, the data also showed. The high demand came as the nation was gripped by sweltering weather this summer. South Korea's weather agency said the temperature reached as high as 34.1 C the previous day. The tropical night phenomenon has also continued in the capital city for 23 consecutive days. Pundits, meanwhile, anticipate that the country's power demand could rise further down the road amid strong demand from the semiconductor industry, data centers and electric vehicles. Source: Yonhap News Agency