An annual electricity-saving campaign started on the first day of June ― one month ahead of time. The early launch of the government-initiated promotion reflects a deep concern about power shortages that may cause nationwide blackouts in summer.

Nationwide blackouts are not just a remote possibility. They are an imminent threat to the nation, which experienced rolling blackouts last year ― successive blackouts in small areas that were designed to conserve electricity when supply fell to a dangerous level. Citizens, the public sector and private enterprise are called on to conserve power to prevent rolling blackouts as well as nationwide power cuts.

An action plan demands that air-conditioned room temperatures in department stores, coffee houses and other stores be set at 26 degrees Celsius or above until the campaign ends on Sept. 21. It advises corporations to spread out summer holidays, which are usually concentrated in the early part of August.

The public sector has an ambitious plan ― a 5 percent cut from last year’s level of electricity consumption. To attain the goal, air-conditioned room temperatures will be set at 28 degrees or above and officials will be allowed to wear casual dress.

Much of power conservation needs to come from manufacturers in the private sector, which reportedly consume about 50 percent of peak-time supply. They have to participate actively in the campaign, not just to avoid a costly halt in production but to save on their electricity bills.

Korea Electric Power Corp., which has provided electricity at below cost for a long time, is set to raise its prices later this month. The government-run utility is reportedly considering a 6 percent increase. But the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry insists on 3 percent, a level that reflects the consumer price index.

The first order of business for corporations ahead of an increase in electricity prices is to save on their power bills. Among the corporations is Samsung Electronics, the largest electricity consumer in the nation. The company, which spent as much as 2.17 trillion won on power consumption in 2008-10, promises a 5 percent cut at its production lines and a 10 percent cut in its offices.

A call for power conservation should not be a one-time campaign every summer. Businesses will have to try to save electricity during production all year round for environmental protection as well.