South Korea Would Suspend Five Coal - Fire Power Plants.

[Petar + 76]

South Korea’s move to shut coal-fired generators to control air pollution at the same time as nuclear reactors are going into scheduled maintenance is resulting in surging fuel oil imports, as utilities burn the dirty feedstock to meet power demand. South Korea’s trade ministry said it would suspend five coal-fired power plants, with a combined capacity of 2.32 gigawatts (GW), from March to June, part of a broad campaign to reduce pollution. But, that plan may backfire, at least in the short-term. A cold winter has raised power and heating demand, forcing utilities to burn more fuel oil in order to meet demand. Coal power generates about 40 percent of South Korea’s total electricity needs, nuclear around 30 percent, and natural gas meets 20 percent. The rest comes from oil and renewables. Even with the increase in fuel oil purchases, South Korea will have to raise imports of other fuels to meet demand as nearly half of its nuclear power plants are down for maintenance.

[damirUSBiH + 327]

Nature is not interested in state plans. A cold winter has raised power and heating demand. 

[franco + 96]

Crazy to think how bad air pollution is in some countries if they resort to measures like this. And, probably no wind power to blow it away.

[damirUSBiH + 327]

50% of South Korea's pollution comes from overseas and 5% of Dom. PM2.5 from coal plants . South Korea has its problems mainly because of the old coal generators and those over 30 yrs old will be shut down as they have stated.

[Pavel + 384]

I do not understand. Are they trying to imply there was another choice for shutting down during spring such as gas-fired generators? It would be news if they kept more expensive generation going (e.g. gas) just so they could reduce coal generation.