KEPCO launches smart appliance cashback pilot program

Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) has launched a two-month pilot program called ‘Smart Appliance Cashback’ running from September 1 to October 31. The initiative aims to encourage households to shift electricity usage to daytime hours on weekends and public holidays, when renewable energy production, such as solar power, is at its peak.

Participants can receive a cashback of 100 KRW per 1 kWh of electricity used between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM on weekends and holidays. The program targets four specific types of smart appliances: washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, and clothing managers. The accumulated cashback will be applied as a deduction or refund to the user's electricity bill.

To participate, customers must first be enrolled in the residential energy cashback program and then apply through their respective appliance platforms, such as Samsung Electronics’ SmartThings or LG Electronics’ ThinQ app. Samsung Electronics is also expanding its global energy partnerships with companies like Enel in Italy and British Gas in the UK to provide similar electricity-saving benefits.