Projected Costs of Generating Electricity - OECD Nuclear Energy ...

supercritical pressure steam cycle with an estimated design thermal efficiency of 41%. The model plant
is designed from the most reliable perspectives of technology available now.
The ultra-supercritical pressure steam power generation system, the pressurised fluidised-bed
combustion power generation system and some other technologies are being introduced and developed to
improve the efficiency of coal-fired thermal power plants.
With IEA sources used as reference data, coal prices for these plants were estimated at 1.4 USD/GJ for
the year 2010. Thereafter, the estimation predicts that prices will rise at a rate of some 0.8% per year.
The generating costs of gas combined cycle power plants were estimated on the basis of five model
plants at a site with a combined gross capacity of 1 630 MWe. These models are in a 1 400°C class of
plant designed from the most reliable perspectives of technology available now. Design thermal efficiency
is estimated at 52%.
High-temperature turbines and other advanced technologies are being developed, with the objective of
introducing them in 1 500°C firing temperature power plants.
With IEA sources used as reference data, fuel prices for these plants were estimated at 4.3 USD/GJ for
the year 2010. Thereafter, according to the estimation, the prices will increase at a rate of some 0.3% per
year.
The generating costs of hydro power plants were estimated on the basis of four model plants with a
gross capacity of 19 MWe each. These model plants are based on the “run of the river” type.
Photovoltaic, wind power and other renewable generation systems are considered to serve only as supplementary
facilities for electric utilities because of their inadequate supply stability and unsuitability for
large power supply. Accordingly, Japanese electric utilities are now studying how to ensure higher technical
reliability and lower costs for these systems. The utilities are not in a position to provide any official
data for estimating the power generating costs of these.
Republic of Korea
Long-term electricity supply and demand
Overview
Before restructuring the electricity industry, the Korean government had established a Long Term
Power Development Plan (LPDP), and the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), a vertically integrated
utility, had implemented the LPDP in order to secure a stable electricity supply.
The Korean government decided to gradually restructure the electricity supply industry (ESI) in order
to increase the efficiency of the industry and to promote consumer rights. With the ESI restructuring, the
competitive market mechanism will be the dominant factor. Thus, the function of the former LPDP has
inevitably changed into non-binding guidelines or reference.
The Korean government, in consultation with Korea Power Exchange (KPX), biennially establishes the
Basic Plan of the Electricity Supply & Demand (BPE) just as it has prepared the LPDP. However, the
129