Firms join power saving campaign

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Yoon Sang-jick, right, listens to explanations about the energy management system at SK Chemical’s research center in Bundang, Gyeonggi Province on June 11. / Yonhap

By Kim Tae-jong

Companies have joined government-led power saving campaigns because the nation faces a possible blackout ahead of the peak summer season.

The government, which has unveiled a package of power saving measures, is “forcibly” encouraging the public and companies to save as much energy as possible, promising incentives.

Many companies have initiated a “cool-biz” dress code, encouraging employees to dress casually, as part of efforts to reduce electricity consumption.

The theory is that if workers wear only shorts, short-sleeve shirts without jackets and ties, demand for air-conditioning will reduce.

Major conglomerates such as Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor Group have set strict rules according to the government’s guideline in an effort to reduce electricity consumption.

They have to turn off lights during lunchtime and set the lowest temperature limit of air conditioners at 28 degree Celsius, and turn off electric gadgets in the event of any emergency.

They are also allowing their executives and employees to wear short-sleeve shirts and no ties until September.

“Conventionally, we have allowed employees to wear short-sleeve shirts without ties in July and August,” said an official from Hyundai Motor Group. “But we started doing so from June and will maintain it until the end of September to save energy.”

The Seoul Metropolitan Government also joined the cool-biz movement, even permitting employees to wear shorts and sandals.

The municipal government also decided to extend the interval between subway trains by up to one minute between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays so that the average number of trains operating per day will be cut by 12.5 percent.

The energy saving campaign came after two nuclear reactors were recently taken offline last week because faulty components were found to have been used in them.

This has raised concerns of a possible blackout, as the nation’s generating capacity had already fallen behind demand.

The current generating capacity stands at 67 million kilowatts, largely due to 10 reactors out of action, but maximum demand is expected to reach 78.7 million kilowatts this summer, up from 77.27 kilowatts last year.

The government last week issued a series of warnings of a possible electricity shortage earlier than usual as issuances have raised concerns over a power blackout during summer.

SK Group’s headquarters in downtown Seoul has an advanced cooling system in operation to reduce electricity consumption during peak hours.

There is an innovative cooling system in the building that begins making ice at 11 p.m. and continues through the night. This ice is then used as part of an air conditioning process throughout the building the following day.

Korea's major steel companies, including POSCO, also announced that they will participate in the government's electricity-saving drive by reducing their electricity usage during the summer season.

The Korea Iron & Steel Association announced that its member companies will reduce their electricity consumption by 1.06 million kW per day, equivalent to the amount of electricity generated by a single reactor, during the period from August 5 to 30.

During this period, the steel companies plan to repair facilities or encourage employees to take a leave.

But many local companies expressed their discontent over the energy-saving campaign that seems to be recurring in recent summer seasons.

“The government has forced companies to reduce electricity consumption without trying to come up with a fundamental solution,” an official from an automaker said. “This summer, they pushed us harder to save more electricity.”

A senior official from another firm criticized the government, arguing that it is trying to hold companies responsible for poor management and supervision of nuclear reactor operators.

“Such poor management would not be accepted at all if it had happened at a private firm,” she said. “Then, it’s nonsense that they are pushing companies to endure all the consequences and inconveniences.”