Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 2 hrs ago
South Korea’s power grid faces rising voltage stability concerns
South Korea’s power grid is facing growing concerns about voltage stability.
The number of 345-kilovolt transmission facilities exceeding their voltage limits rose from four in 2021 to 78 last year.
AI data centres can change their electricity use sharply in a short time, which can put extra strain on the grid.
At the same time, more solar power can mean fewer coal and gas plants running, reducing the grid’s ability to regulate voltage.
Experts say equipment such as synchronous condensers and STATCOMs can help control voltage, but planned installations are not yet complete.
The government has begun work on technical rules for data centres’ grid connections and operations, but detailed requirements are still being developed.
South Korea had 78 grid facilities exceeding voltage limits last year, up from four in 2021, according to data obtained from the Korea Power Exchange.
The rise has prompted concerns that the country’s power grid may be less able to keep voltage stable as renewable generation grows and conventional power plants run less.
Experts also warn that AI data centres can change their electricity use sharply, adding stress to the grid.
Grid-stabilising equipment, including synchronous condensers and STATCOMs, is planned, but installation is not complete.
South Korea has begun work on technical rules for connecting and operating AI data centres, but detailed operating standards have not yet been set.
- Who
- South Korea’s power grid and the experts and officials concerned with its stability.
- What
- Voltage-limit violations at grid facilities have risen, raising concerns about the grid’s ability to manage changes in generation and demand.
- When
- The number of affected facilities rose from 4 in 2021 to 78 last year; the article was published on October 25, 2026.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- Renewable generation can reduce the voltage-control role of conventional power plants, while AI data centres can sharply change their electricity demand.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Four 345-kilovolt transmission and substation facilities exceeded the voltage-maintenance range.
The number of facilities exceeding the range rose to 22.
The number rose to 52.
The number rose to 61; in July, a Virginia grid incident involving data centres saw voltage rise to 107% of the normal standard.
The number of South Korean facilities exceeding the range reached 78.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment launched a group to develop grid-code requirements for AI data centres.
- Facilities exceeding voltage range
- 78 last year, compared with 4 in 2021
- Grid voltage
- 345 kilovolts
- AI data-centre demand swings
- 30–40% in a short time, according to a professor quoted in the article
- US incident
- About 1,500 megawatts of demand left the grid; voltage rose to 107% of normal
- Planned stabilisation equipment
- Synchronous condensers and STATCOMs
- Grid-code work
- A study group launched in August by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment
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What people are saying
Large AI training data centres can see their electricity consumption fluctuate by 30–40% in a short time