Korea's Plus DR Proves Effective in Managing Grid Surplus During Chuseok
Korea's Plus DR (Demand Response) mechanism successfully absorbed 8,134.92 MWh of surplus power during the Chuseok holiday from September 24-27, 2026, preventing physical curtailment despite record-low power demand. This performance, driven by recent rule changes from the Korea Power Exchange, firmly established Plus DR as a key grid stabilization tool.
Our take
How did Korea's Plus DR prevent grid oversupply during the recent Chuseok holiday?
The Korea Power Exchange's removal of settlement caps and increase in compensation unit prices for Plus DR significantly de-risks participation for demand-side resources, directly driving a surge in cleared volume from 0 MWh in previous years to 8,980.61 MWh in September 2026.
This policy shift directly enhances the revenue potential for flexibility assets by ensuring higher and more predictable compensation for increasing electricity consumption during periods of generation oversupply. By making Plus DR more financially attractive, the Korea Power Exchange incentivizes active participation from industrial and commercial consumers, transforming them into active grid stabilizers rather than passive recipients of curtailment, thereby mitigating the risk of physical output controls on renewable generators.
What the source says
- Korea Power Exchange The Korea Power Exchange increased Plus DR compensation unit prices.
- Korea Power Exchange The Korea Power Exchange abolished settlement amount caps for Plus DR.
- Mainland Plus DR market clearing volume was 0 MWh in September 2024 and 2025.
- Maximum power demand on September 26, 2026, was 57.5 GW.
- An industry official stated that the Chuseok holiday proved the effectiveness of demand-side flexibility resources like Plus DR.
- Power authorities were concerned about power supply oversupply during the holiday due to decreased demand and surging solar generation.
- Daily Plus DR clearing volumes during the Chuseok holiday were 2202.80 MWh on Sept 24, 2145.02 MWh on Sept 25, 1584.48 MWh on Sept 26, and 2202.62 MWh on Sept 27.
- Kim Seong-jin, Chairman of the Korea Power Exchange, was pictured on emergency duty during the Chuseok holiday.
For investors — Investors in demand-side flexibility assets should evaluate the enhanced revenue streams from Plus DR, particularly during spring and autumn light load periods, as the market now offers more attractive compensation and reduced financial risk for active participation in grid stabilization. This creates new opportunities for assets capable of increasing consumption on demand.
Watch: Continued growth in Plus DR clearing volumes and participation rates, especially during high renewable generation periods.
Weekly digest
What changed in Korea's power market this week — one email, every week.
Email only, used solely to send this digest (delivered via Resend). Unconfirmed sign-ups are deleted after 30 days. Free.