Published: 10:18, December 10, 2019 | Updated: 09:55, June 6, 2023
S. Korea shuts down coal-fired power plants to curb pollution
By Reuters

SEOUL — South Korea has shut down 10 coal-fired power plants on Tuesday as part of its anti-pollution campaign, the energy ministry said.

The shutdown comes after the government said last month it would idle up as much as 15 coal-fired power plants between December and February, while its remaining plants are expected to supply sufficient power.

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In a statement late Monday, the energy ministry said 41 coal-fired power plants would operate at 80% capacity.

South Korea, Asia’s fourth-largest economy, operates about 60 coal-fired power plants, generating about 40% of its electricity.

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Nuclear power makes up about 30% of South Korea’s electricity, followed by gas power at around 20%. Analysts expected the reduced coal power to give a slight boost to the country’s LNG demand.