From Today, Public Institutions Start 'Energy Diet'... Heating Restrictions and Lights Turned Off

Public Institution Indoor Temperature Limited to 17 Degrees... Personal Heaters Prohibited
Heating 'Zero' During Peak Power Hours... Indoor Lighting Must Also Be Turned Off
Government to Check Monthly Energy Saving Performance... Plan to Reflect in Management Evaluation

A gas meter in a residential area of Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Lee Jun-hyung] The government is launching an intensive 'energy diet' starting today (18th). Accordingly, public institutions will lower indoor heating temperatures and turn off decorative lighting.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that it will implement the 'Notice on the Restriction of Energy Use in Public Institutions' today. The core of the notice is a high-intensity energy-saving measure in the public sector, a follow-up to the 'Public Institution Energy Diet 10 Practice Resolution' held by the ministry on the 6th of this month. The goal is to reduce energy consumption in public institutions this winter by more than 10% compared to the average usage over the past three years.

Earlier, the ministry announced this measure on the 11th under the 'Rational Use of Energy Act.' The targets include 1,019 organizations such as central administrative agencies, metropolitan and basic local governments, city and provincial education offices, public institutions, national and public universities, and their affiliated and subordinate organizations.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Chang-yang Applauding
(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Shin Hyun-woo = Lee Chang-yang, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy (left), is applauding on the afternoon of the 6th at the Seoul Energy Dream Center in Mapo-gu, attending the Public Institution Energy Diet 10 Practice Resolution. Next to him is Chung Seung-il, President of Korea Electric Power Corporation. 2022.10.6
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Heating Temperature 18°C → 17°C

According to government policy, indoor heating temperatures in public institutions will be restricted starting today. Public institutions can raise the average indoor temperature to up to 17°C when operating heating facilities. The previous limit was 18°C.

This indoor heating temperature restriction applies uniformly to all public institutions. Initially, public institutions could raise the heating temperature to 20°C if more than 60% of their heating facilities used energy sources other than electricity, such as city gas.

However, considering the rising prices and supply instability of liquefied natural gas (LNG), the government decided to limit the heating temperature of all public institutions to 17°C. Medical institutions, child and elderly welfare facilities, subways, and other facilities used by the general public are exempt from this heating temperature restriction.

Operating hours for heating facilities are also restricted. Public institutions must sequentially stop heating devices during peak electricity hours, from 9 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 5 p.m., depending on the region. Additionally, public institution employees are prohibited from using personal heaters during working hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pregnant women and persons with disabilities are exempt from this personal heater usage restriction.

German and French Leaders Meet at Dinner Celebrating 32nd Anniversary of German Reunification
(Berlin AP/DPA=Yonhap News) On the 3rd (local time), German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (right) welcomes French President Emmanuel Macron, who visited Berlin to attend the 32nd anniversary event of German reunification, at the Chancellor's residence dinner hall. 2022.10.04
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Lighting Also Turned Off

Decorative lighting will also be turned off. Outdoor advertisements, buildings, sculptures, cultural assets, and other decorative lights of public institutions cannot be turned on from 11 p.m. until sunrise the next day. Lighting towers in outdoor sports areas are also prohibited from being lit.

Indoor lighting will also be turned off. During working hours, public institutions must turn off at least 30% of indoor lighting. During peak electricity hours, the rate of indoor lighting turned off increases to over 50%.

This high-intensity energy diet is not unique to Korea. On the 6th of this month, the French Prime Minister personally announced an 'energy-saving plan.' The main goal is to reduce energy consumption by 10% by 2024 and 40% by 2050. Accordingly, France limits building heating temperatures to 19°C and plans to turn off the Eiffel Tower lighting early. French President Emmanuel Macron even wore a turtleneck during diplomatic schedules to emphasize energy saving.

Major European countries such as Germany and the United Kingdom are in similar situations. Germany has legislated mid- to long-term measures to reduce gas consumption in winter by 20% compared to average usage. The UK is conducting an energy-saving campaign centered on the energy regulator Ofgem.

The government plans to monitor and publicly disclose the implementation status of the energy diet in public institutions through monthly surveys. Energy diet performance will also be reflected in public institution management evaluations. A ministry official said, "The imports of the three major energy sources?crude oil, gas, etc.?accumulated from the beginning of this year to last month increased by 88% compared to the same period last year," adding, "This measure is being implemented with greater emphasis than similar past measures, considering the serious energy crisis situation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.