Amid escalating concerns over the shutdown of several nuclear reactors, the Korea Power Exchange issued on Monday a first-step warning on the nation’s electricity supply.

The “preparation” warning was issued at 1:31 p.m. on Monday as the temperature rose to the mid-summer level and the electricity reserve margin fell below 4.5 million kilowatts, according to officials.

The KPE earlier predicted that the inventory could drop further to 3.7 million kilowatts, triggering the “attention” warning, the next step in the phased warning system.

“We activated all the available electric generators, including private facilities, in order to secure the electricity needed in the daytime peak hours,” said a KPE official.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Yoon Sang-jick urged the public and industry to participate in an extensive energy-saving campaign.

“(I demand that) companies cut down on their energy use by 15 percent,” he said on Monday during his meeting with local conglomerate CEOs.

Faced with the possibility of a national blackout, the minister urgently met with CEOs of companies such as Hyundai Steel, Samsung Electronics, and LG Chem, which are the top consumers of electricity in industry.

While the ministry and firms mulled over energy solutions, President Park Geun-hye harshly criticized fraudulent supply and certifying processes, which caused the nuclear reactor shutdowns.

“The forging of the nuclear component warranties can never been forgiven as it involves the lives and safety of the people,” she said in the presidential secretary meeting on Monday.

“Not only did it inflict immediate damage on the nation’s electricity supply but it also posed a threat to the people.”

The nationwide commotion over energy was triggered by the sudden shutdown of two acting nuclear reactors last week. Citing faulty control cables and forged quality warranties, the Nuclear Safety & Security Commission not only halted the two disputed reactors but also suspended the resumption of two others which were due to resume operation within the year.

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)