South Korea's peak electricity demand may rise by as much as 4.3 percent this year as manufacturers increase production of cars and mobile phones.

Electricity use this summer may peak at 61.5 million kilowatts, assuming a nationwide average temperature of 32.5 degrees Celsius (91 degrees Fahrenheit), the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy said in an e-mailed statement today. Electricity consumption may rise to 63.5 million kilowatts if the average temperature increases to 34.5 degrees Celsius, the ministry said.

South Korea's exports rose by more than economists expected in May. Asia's third-largest economy may expand 4.8 percent this year, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. said on June 4, a faster rate than its previous estimate of 4 percent. The economy will grow 5.3 percent next year, compared with a previous prediction of 4.5 percent, it said.

Exports of cars jumped 34.9 percent between May 1 and May 20, compared with the same period a year earlier, the ministry said on June 1. Exports of mobile phones surged 22.3 percent in the same period.

Electricity supply during the time of peak demand may rise 3.6 percent to 67.5 million kilowatts, today's statement said.