"Power Demand Emergency"... Business Community Joins Energy Saving Campaign

Economic 6 Organizations - Lotte, etc... 'Indoor Temperature 26℃' Campaign

As the heatwave continues day after day, causing a surge in electricity demand, the business community has launched an 'On-do-ju-ui' energy-saving campaign.

Leaders of the six major economic organizations participating in the energy-saving campaign. From the top left clockwise: Park Il-jun, Vice Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Korea International Trade Association poster; Kim Chang-beom, Vice Chairman of the Korea Economic Association; Lee Ho-jun, Vice Chairman of the Korea Federation of Medium-sized Enterprises; Lee Dong-geun, Vice Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation; Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business card news. [Photo by Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry]

[Photo by Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry]

On the 12th, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced that it would participate in the energy-saving campaign along with the Korea Economic Association, Korea International Trade Association, Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business, Korea Employers Federation, and Korea Federation of Mid-sized Enterprises.

On the 5th, electricity demand exceeded the previous maximum, reaching 93.8 GW (gigawatts). The electricity reserve margin dropped to 9% on that day. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy expects the peak electricity demand this summer to be 97.2 GW.

The building energy-saving practice method is the '1-1-1' approach. It means 'raise the temperature by 1 degree, turn off the air conditioning 1 hour earlier, and turn off at least 1 light.' The indoor temperature is maintained at 26 degrees Celsius, which is 1 degree higher. Air conditioning is turned off 1 hour before the end of work. Even one unused office light is turned off.

Lee Dong-geun, Vice Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation, said through social media (SNS), "We ask companies to practice lifestyle-based energy saving by participating in 'On-do-ju-ui.'"

Kim Chang-beom, Vice Chairman of the Korea Economic Association, said, "We hope that the business community's active participation in energy saving through this On-do-ju-ui campaign will help stabilize Korea's energy supply and demand."

The Korea International Trade Association and the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business explained specific energy-saving practices through posters and card news on their websites, requesting participation from the trade industry and small and medium enterprises. The Korea Federation of Mid-sized Enterprises aired a video featuring Vice Chairman Lee Ho-jun explaining the urgency of the environmental crisis and the importance of energy saving.

In the case of Lotte Group, which has many large commercial buildings, the campaign was introduced and participation of all employees (about 55,000) was encouraged through each affiliate’s social media.

The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with 72 regional chambers of commerce nationwide, posted On-do-ju-ui stickers at building entrances. Energy practice tasks were distributed and guided to 110,000 small business owners. Through a communication platform, energy-saving ideas were solicited to gather practical measures for daily life.

Also, on the upcoming Energy Day on the 22nd, together with about 1,550 member companies of the Entrepreneurs Roundtable (ERT), they will participate from 2 to 3 p.m. in maintaining air conditioner settings at 26?28 degrees Celsius and turning off lights for 5 minutes after 9 p.m. at workplaces.

Park Il-jun, Vice Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, "Since most energy is imported and electricity demand is inevitably expected to increase in the era of artificial intelligence (AI), we hope that the energy-saving campaign led by economic organizations and companies united will contribute to stabilizing electricity supply and demand."