Energy consumption increased rapidly and reached a record high in 2013. The government enforced energy efficiency standards in public institutions. It was prohibited to run cooling systems, and temperatures inside the buildings were limited. Public buildings were limited to 26 degrees Celsius in the summer and the limit will be 20 degrees Celsius in the winter.
Many people do not support the energy saving policy. I interviewed CWNU students about this.
Kim Dae-gon, (Dept. of Tax Management)
Energy consumption has increased every year and then we experienced a blackout. Electricity levels decreased due to ensuing problems at power stations. The government prevented blackouts by forcibly reducing energy consumption.
50% of electricity is used for industries and only 10% is used for homes, according to a domestic energy consumption analysis. But the government enforced a policy that increased electricity fees for homes. I understand keeping electricity fees low for industries in order to be competitive. Low electricity fees allow big companies to use a lot of energy and pay low prices. The government should find additional ways to supply energy. For example, increase electricity fees for industries or add additional charges to big companies. The fees should be used to create more power stations.

O Young-ha, (Dept. of low)
I think the energy saving policy has pros and cons. Saving energy is right to do because of suffering due to electric power shortages. It is natural for public institutions serving the nation to save energy. But the policy prohibiting air conditioning is excessive. It doesn’t take into consideration efficiency problems related to business. Restricting private organizations is the right way.

Lim Guk-jin  kuk7651@naver.com

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