KEPCO Expands Energy Cashback: Benefits for Reducing Usage by Just 1%, Maximum Rate Raised to 120 Won

For Electricity Measured from July to December This Year
Cashback Threshold Lowered from 3% to 1%
Additional Evening Cashback Offered from 5 to 8 p.m.

Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) is expanding and revising its residential Energy Cashback program to improve the public’s energy use efficiency and to promote a “Smart Electricity Life.” The company is lowering the reduction threshold required to receive cashback from 3% to 1%, and increasing the cashback rate by 20–30 won per kWh, raising the maximum cashback amount to up to 120 won per kWh.

On June 29, KEPCO announced that it will expand and revise the residential Energy Cashback program for electricity consumption measured between July and December 2026.

A KEPCO official explained, “The core of this revision is easing the eligibility criteria, raising the support rate, introducing additional cashback for evening hours in the summer, and launching a smart appliance cashback in the fall. Through these measures, we aim to strengthen incentives for energy-saving actions and to encourage efficient consumption by also considering the time of use.”

First, KEPCO will ease the cashback eligibility criteria and raise the cashback rate so that more people who reduce unnecessary power consumption in their daily lives can benefit. Previously, a reduction of at least 3% compared to the average usage in the same month over the past two years was required to receive the benefits. However, for electricity consumption measured from July to December 2026, a reduction of just 1% or more will be sufficient. The cashback rate will also be increased by 20–30 won per kWh, with the maximum rate reaching up to 120 won per kWh.

In addition, KEPCO will launch a pilot program for “additional evening cashback” during the summer, when electricity demand surges and the power grid is under the most strain. This initiative will be available to households participating in the cashback program that are equipped with remote metering and can record usage by time slot. Upon separate application, if such households reduce their electricity usage during weekday evenings (5 p.m. to 8 p.m.) in July and August 2026 compared to the average usage for the same period over the past two years, they will receive a cashback of 500 won per kWh, which is more than four times the existing maximum rate of 120 won per kWh.

This fall, KEPCO will also pilot a “smart appliance cashback” to encourage households to use electricity during daytime hours, when solar and other renewable energy generation is abundant. For two months, in September and October 2026, if customers use washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, or clothing care appliances registered in the Samsung SmartThings or LG ThinQ apps during daytime hours (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) on weekends or public holidays, they can receive a cashback of 100 won per kWh for their electricity use during those hours. Details on how to apply will be announced separately through the Energy Cashback website and other channels in the future.

The KEPCO official added, “This revision is not only about saving electricity, but also about providing benefits that the public can truly experience, in line with the changing energy environment. We ask for your interest and active participation in pursuing a smart electricity life.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.