The nation needs to keep 4 million kilowatts of electric power or more in reserves if it wishes to spare itself blackout fears. If the reserves fall below 2 million kilowatts, the government issues a blackout warning and demands a cut in consumption by public organizations.

According to an estimate by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, the reserves will fall to 1.27 million kilowatts when electricity consumption peaks in January. Worse still, the estimate is based on the assumption that two nuclear reactors, now under repair, will go back into operation before year-end.

Should their operation be delayed, however, the reserves could fall to 300,000 kilowatts, forcing Korea Electric Power Corp. to suspend the provision of power, successively from one small area to another, in what are called rolling blackouts.

Against this back drop, Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik appealed to the nation on Friday to conserve electric power in winter. He said the administration will shift into emergency mode and take all measures needed when the reserves fall below the 4 million kilowatt level.

The measures include additional charges during the peak hours and a 10 percent cut in electricity consumption by 6,000 companies that consume much electricity, especially in January and February. The administration is also appealing to households to participate in the electricity-saving campaign.

It is the second time in three months for the administration to run an electricity-saving campaign. The first was launched when a scorching heat wave hit the nation in early August, driving down the electricity reserves to dangerous levels.

Held accountable for the shortage of power are incumbent and previous administrations, which have failed to construct power plants on schedule. The power shortage will be relieved in 2014, with additional 7 million kilowatts set to be generated when new power plants under construction are designated by the end of 2013.

The power shortage worsened when two reactors were shut down as they were found earlier this month to have used parts with faked warranties. With their operation suspended, wintertime blackouts were already mentioned as a possibility. As such, it was a matter of time before the administration launched a nationwide campaign to cut power use both at home and factories.

There is no use complaining about the shortsighted power policy of the incumbent and previous administrations, which are accused of encouraging power use by supplying electricity below cost. As little can be done to relieve the shortage in the short term, the only viable option is conservation, either enforced or voluntary.