South Korea announced Wednesday a series of voluntary power-saving measures in order to help cut down energy use and avoid a possible blackout during the nation’s normally hot summer.
The measures, which will take effect from June 1 to September 30, were announced after a meeting of relevant ministers, presided over by Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik earlier in the day, officials said. The compliance period is one month longer than that of a year ago.
Under the measures, big electricity consumers such as steelmakers and smelters are advised to ask their workers to take their summer vacation in late August, given an annual trend of low electricity reserves during the time period.
For companies doing production by avoiding peak hours, the government will pay an incentive on the amount of electricity they save, or 1,020 won (87 U.S. cents) per kilowatt-hour, officials said.
The government also encouraged citizens to actively join the power-saving measures, saying it is considering imposing fines against retailers, small stores and other shops that open doors while running air conditioning.
Details of the plan to impose fines will be fixed by the end of this month, officials said.
A total of 478 commercial buildings such as department stores and hotels will have to reduce energy consumption by placing restrictions on indoor temperatures to a minimum of 26 C, according to the measures.
About 19,000 government offices will also be required to keep indoor temperatures at 28 C or above.
Office workers are encouraged to abandon jackets and ties during the four-month period.
