Daehan Electric has secured a contract for the East Coast-Seoul high-voltage direct current (HVDC) project from Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). This marks a significant step in the expansion of the domestic and international HVDC market.
According to industry sources on June 17, Daehan Electric won the contract for the EP2 phase of the 500kV HVDC East Coast-Seoul construction project, valued at 146.3 billion won (approximately $110 million).
The company will handle the manufacturing and supply of 500kV HVDC XLPE cables and associated materials, as well as the installation, using a turnkey approach. The installation spans approximately 86 kilometers.
The East Coast-Seoul HVDC project aims to establish a national power grid that reliably transmits electricity generated from nuclear, thermal, and renewable energy sources in the East Coast region to the metropolitan area. HVDC technology, which is advantageous for long-distance, high-capacity transmission, will be utilized.
The power industry has noted that the increasing electricity demand in the metropolitan area, driven by the expansion of AI data centers and semiconductor clusters, has made investments in large-scale transmission networks from the East and West Coasts more critical.
Daehan Electric has previously developed and commercialized the first 500kV high-voltage alternating current cable in South Korea and has also succeeded in developing 500kV current-type HVDC and 525kV voltage-type HVDC cable systems. These technologies have been designated as national core technologies.
The company is also achieving success in international projects. Daehan Electric has secured a contract for a 320kV HVDC power grid project in the United States and has signed a framework agreement for HVDC cable systems with the UK National Grid. Recently, it established a memorandum of understanding for collaboration on HVDC submarine cable projects with Yandeul and Boskalis.
In response to the growing demand for HVDC, Daehan Electric is constructing a dedicated testing center in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province, and is building a second submarine cable factory capable of producing 640kV HVDC submarine cables. The company has also secured a 10,000-ton cable laying vessel, the 'Scandi Connector,' to enhance its capabilities in submarine cable installation.
A Daehan Electric official stated, "This contract reflects the results of our efforts in developing HVDC technology and strengthening our production and construction capabilities. We aim to enhance our competitiveness in national power grid projects, including the West Coast Energy Highway, and in the global power grid market."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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