Seoul Takes Drastic Measures to Combat Energy Crisis: Digital Billboards Dimmed by 2 Hours

In a bold move to mitigate the ongoing energy crisis, the city of Seoul has announced plans to reduce the operating hours of 30 large digital billboards in the Gwanghwamun and Myeongdong areas by 2 hours daily. This initiative aims to conserve energy and encourage public participation in energy-saving efforts. The decision comes as the prolonged Middle East conflict continues to impact global energy supplies, making conservation increasingly urgent.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the reduced operating hours will be implemented from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., instead of the current 6 a.m. to midnight window. This adjustment is expected to significantly reduce power consumption, with industry estimates suggesting that high-definition digital billboards consume an average of 80 to 100 kWh per square meter per month. To put this into perspective, a typical two- to three-person household uses approximately 300 kWh per month, meaning that the billboards in these areas alone consume roughly the equivalent of 2,600 households' monthly electricity.

Criticism has been mounting over the excessive power waste caused by downtown billboards, particularly in light of the ongoing energy supply concerns stemming from the Middle East. In response, the Seoul city government and private operators have reached an agreement to adjust operating hours, with the city praising the private sector's voluntary participation in reducing energy consumption. This move is seen as a significant step towards promoting an energy-saving mindset across the city.

In addition to reducing operating hours, the city has also introduced measures to lower billboard brightness. For the first time in the nation, Seoul has established daytime brightness standards for digital billboards and drawn up 'Outdoor Digital Billboard Day and Nighttime Brightness Recommendation Standards'. These standards set detailed brightness caps by billboard size and time of day for nighttime hours, with the goal of reducing energy use, easing glare for pedestrians and drivers, and narrowing brightness gaps between areas. Billboard operators have been following these recommended standards since this month, with the city expecting that reducing excessive brightness could cut energy consumption by approximately 15% while also alleviating glare.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is committed to pursuing sustainable practices to achieve effective energy savings and create a comfortable urban environment. As part of this effort, the city has introduced various policies to reduce energy consumption, primarily in the public sector. These initiatives include the implementation of a vehicle-use rotation system for government agency official and employee vehicles, shortened operating hours, alternating lighting, and expanded remote work arrangements for government buildings. The city is also reducing power use for downtown landscape lighting, demonstrating its commitment to reducing energy consumption and promoting sustainability.

Seoul's efforts to combat the energy crisis serve as a model for other cities to follow. By taking proactive measures to reduce energy consumption and promote sustainability, the city is not only mitigating the immediate effects of the crisis but also investing in a more sustainable future. As the global energy landscape continues to evolve, cities like Seoul are leading the way in demonstrating the importance of energy conservation and sustainable practices.