South Korea unveils plan to avoid blackout after nuclear closure

South Korea may have to bring in rolling power blackouts this winter after the closure of nuclear plants for safety checks while the electricity network will have less than a third of normal reserve capacity. Two nuclear power plants have been temporarily shut down to replace non-certified components and another reactor is disconnected for safety checks, as microscopic cracks were found. South Korea could risk power shortages during the winter. According to the Economy Ministry's plan, private and public generators could bring 1,270 MW of power capacity; a further 3,000 MW could be saved, especially in public space and business heating. These efforts could enable to reach an excess power generating capacity of 1,270 MW, 28% of the safety margin. The shortage of power supply is expected to improve from 2014 as a combined 7,000MW power plants will be added to a total of more than 80,000 MW of power generating capacity by the end of 2013.