As energy supply instability stemming from the US-Iran war continues to weigh on global markets, the importance of stable energy supply and efficient energy use has grown sharper than ever.
With high humidity and tropical nights forecast to persist through the summer, cooling-driven energy demand is expected to remain elevated for now.
Particularly amid the expansion of AI data centers and large-scale development projects, energy consumption from high-demand industries is rising steadily — making it all the more critical to secure a reliable supply system while reducing demand through everyday conservation.
Seoul Energy Corporation (president Hwang Bo-yeon) said it held an energy conservation street campaign Friday to mark the 23rd Energy Day, observed Saturday, working alongside residents to advance a sustainable energy transition.
The government designated Aug. 22 as Energy Day after the country recorded its then-peak power consumption of 47,385 megawatts on Aug. 22, 2003, aiming to raise public awareness of climate change and energy conservation.
This year's street campaign ran from 10 a.m. to noon Friday across the district heating service areas of Yangcheon-gu, Gangseo-gu and Nowon-gu, with about 10 executives and staff participating — including Kwak Seung-shin, head of the district energy division, Choi Seong-woo, head of the renewable energy division, and Jo Chang-woo, head of the eastern branch office. Staff distributed handheld fans and promotional materials while encouraging residents to adopt energy-saving habits in their daily lives.
The campaign went beyond simple promotion, taking an interactive format in which residents made personal pledges to conserve energy. Participants chose a conservation method from a placard listing practical options and attached a commitment sticker to mark their promise.
About 400 residents joined Seoul Energy Corporation in pledging to conserve energy that day. Through the campaign, the corporation encouraged participants to carry their small commitments into everyday life and help build a broader culture of energy conservation.
In addition, Seoul Energy Corporation joined the "Turn Off the Lights, Turn On the Stars" lights-out event Saturday evening, during which participants switched off lights for 10 minutes starting at 9 p.m., adding further momentum to the energy-saving drive.
"Even small actions — like unplugging devices that aren't in use — add up to the equivalent of building an entire power plant," Kwak said at the event. "Every citizen who took part in today's energy-saving pledge has taken a truly meaningful and significant step toward achieving national greenhouse gas reduction goals."
Seoul Energy Corporation said it will continue to spread a culture of energy conservation through a range of participatory programs with residents, contributing to climate crisis response and the achievement of carbon neutrality goals.
Seoul Energy Corporation is a publicly owned energy company under the Seoul Metropolitan Government that leads the city's energy transition — expanding renewable energy supply and other initiatives — on the foundation of the district heating business introduced to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions.
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
