A policy to guide power consumption by giving cash back for saving electricity and offering extra benefits for using power during midday hours when renewable generation is high will begin in July.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said on the 28th it will launch the "Wise electricity life" policy starting July 1 to encourage power use during midday hours on weekends and holidays. Unlike blanket energy-saving campaigns that simply urge people to use less, the plan aims to ease the grid burden by cutting use in the evening when demand surges and nudging use to the daytime when solar power generation is high.
The policy has three tracks. First, the criteria for residential energy cashback will be eased from July through the end of December. Previously, users had to cut usage by 3% or more from the average of the same month over the past two years, but for bills from July to December, a 1% cut will qualify. The unit rate will also rise, adding 20–30 won per kWh depending on the reduction rate, for support up to 120 won.
An additional summer cashback will also be piloted. It applies to households with Korea Electric Power Corporation remote metering (AMI) capable of time-of-use measurement; if they use less during 5–8 p.m. on weekdays in July–August than in the same hours over the previous two years, they will receive 500 won per kWh back. Daytime use will be encouraged in the fall. On weekends and holidays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in September–October, using washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, or clothing care systems registered in the Samsung Electronics or LG Electronics smart appliance apps will earn 100 won per kWh.
Industry will also benefit. Under the time-of-use rate reform implemented in April, industrial (B) energy charges will be discounted 50% during daytime on weekends and holidays in September–October. Industrial (B) accounts for more than 40% of total power consumption. The same time-slot discount will apply to electric vehicle charging fees, and when the Korea Power Exchange issues a demand response "Plus DR," Korea Electric Power Corporation charging stations will offer 10% off during normal times and up to 12% off during daytime on spring and fall weekends and holidays.
The "Wise electricity life" platform will integrate 39 electricity services previously scattered across seven agencies. Users can apply in one place for energy cashback, electricity bill welfare discounts, energy vouchers, bill simulations, and more. For welfare discount recipients—basic livelihood security households, people with disabilities, and households with newborns—the monthly discount cap will increase to up to 20,000 won in July–August.