As uncertainty in the international energy market grows due to worsening conditions in the Middle East, the government has begun strengthening energy-saving measures for public institutions. This is not merely a campaign but a measure based on law, signaling that the government has officially started managing potential energy supply instability.

According to government and public institution sources on March 12, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment recently sent official documents to about 600 public institutions-including central administrative agencies, local governments, and state-owned enterprises-requesting cooperation in saving energy.

This measure is based on Article 7 of the Act on the Rationalization of Energy Use, which stipulates that if it is determined that there are disruptions or potential disruptions to energy supply and demand due to changes in domestic or international energy markets, the government may take necessary actions to ensure stable energy supply.

The government recently issued a "concern" level alert for resource security, considering the current supply situation for crude oil and natural gas. The intention is to have public institutions take the lead in saving energy, thereby activating a demand management system.

On the 5th, gasoline prices are displayed at a gas station in downtown Seoul as international oil prices rise due to the war between the United States and Iran. Photo by Dongjoo Yoon

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The official document detailed specific energy-saving actions that public institutions must prioritize. The most crucial aspect is building heating and cooling management. Public institutions are required to maintain an average indoor temperature of 18 degrees Celsius or lower when using heating systems and 28 degrees Celsius or higher when using cooling systems. The use of personal heaters during working hours is, in principle, strictly prohibited.

Building facility operations will also be adjusted to focus on energy saving. Outdoor advertising displays, such as promotional electronic boards, must be turned off from 11 p.m. until sunrise the following day. Elevators are to be operated with floor-skipping or time-based restrictions, tailored to the characteristics of each institution.

Power usage management in offices will also be reinforced. When purchasing or replacing office equipment or home appliances, products with energy-saving labels should be used, and the introduction of power-saving software that automatically reduces electricity consumption during unused hours is also recommended.

Energy-saving measures will also be implemented in the transportation sector. A vehicle operation restriction system, based on designated days of the week, will be enforced for employees of public institutions, limiting car use on specific days. However, eco-friendly vehicles, vehicles for people with disabilities, and vehicles carrying pregnant women are exempt from these restrictions.

The government emphasized that public institutions must take the lead in energy saving in order to encourage broader participation from the private sector and the public. The reasoning is that, in a resource security crisis, the public sector must first demonstrate reduced energy consumption to cultivate a culture of conservation throughout society.

The energy industry views these measures not as mere recommendations, but as a "demand management signal" in preparation for possible energy supply instability. If tensions in the Middle East persist, risks to the energy supply chain could grow due to rising international oil prices and disruptions in maritime transport.

The government plans to continuously monitor the supply situations of crude oil and natural gas, as well as trends in international energy prices, and will consider additional countermeasures if necessary.