South Korea has decided to put its government agencies on an “energy diet” from October 18 to March 31 to overcome the energy crisis, including keeping indoor temperatures below 17 degrees Celsius and temporarily turning off heating during peak electricity usage, the Republic’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy said.
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“The measures taken this time to limit the use (of electricity) are more severe than similar measures taken in the past, given the situation of a serious energy crisis,” the ministry said in a statement.
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“Energy diet” for government agencies include limiting the temperature of space heating to 17 degrees Celsius, a ban on the use of personal heaters by employees at work, except for the disabled and pregnant women, temporary shutdowns of heating during peak hours of electricity use. Also, 30% of the lighting will be turned off during working hours, and 50% of the lighting will be turned off during peak energy use hours. Decorative lighting of buildings, sculptures and cultural objects, outdoor advertising, outdoor sports grounds will not work from 23.00 until dawn.
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Exceptions to the heating rules will be facilities used by a large number of citizens, such as airports, railway and metro stations, hospitals, child care and the elderly.
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The implementation of energy saving measures will be monitored monthly.
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Earlier this month, South Korea’s Korea Electric Power Corporation raised its base electricity tariffs for the second time this month after suffering heavy losses in the first half of the year. The total price increase for the year totals 17.9% on average, which is the largest increase in prices since 1980, that is, in more than 40 years.
