On June 29, the government announced the "Three Major Megaprojects for South Korea's Great Leap Forward," focusing on semiconductors, physical AI, and AI data centers. Notably, the scale of investment from semiconductor companies, amounting to trillions of won, was not the only point of interest. Electricity was also highlighted as a crucial element necessary to drive this massive initiative. Whether for semiconductor fabs or AI data centers, the amount of power required is equivalent to that generated by dozens of nuclear power plants. Regardless of how grand the investment plans are, without a stable and timely supply of electricity, they will remain mere blueprints. The government has prioritized the expansion of power infrastructure as a key support task alongside the announcement of these megaprojects.
The surge in electricity demand is not limited to megaprojects. The electrification of various industries is causing national power demand to grow at an unprecedented rate. The government has stated its intention to achieve 100 GW of renewable energy by 2030, utilize nuclear power and small modular reactors (SMRs), expand energy storage systems (ESS), and proactively establish power grids.
The direction towards decarbonization and local consumption of electricity is correct. However, having the right direction does not guarantee automatic execution. The electric industry still faces numerous challenges, including ensuring the stability of energy supply, building large-scale transmission networks, and training skilled personnel to meet the rapidly increasing power demand.
Electricity has transitioned from being merely an infrastructure supporting industries to a core asset that influences national competitiveness and economic growth. The electric industry refers to this era as "eleconomy," where electricity and economy are intertwined. This is the reality we face today.
In such times, a platform that allows the entire electric industry to speak with one voice is essential, as is a focal point that can bridge the gap between policy and practice. Even if the government proposes policy directions, the effectiveness of these policies will diminish if the voices from the industry are not gathered in a timely manner. Companies seek systems that can reduce investment uncertainties, while power generation companies and equipment and construction sectors need applicable standards and support systems. Academia and research institutions must prepare for future technologies, and the government should consider the overall power supply and industrial competitiveness of the nation. The electric industry operates through the interplay of various stakeholders' interests and roles. Merely voicing individual opinions will make it difficult to keep pace with the speed of transformation. Thus, a central axis that can consolidate industry opinions, gather field challenges, and connect them to policy is necessary.
The establishment of the Korea Electric Industry Association is a response to this urgent need. The association, which has a 60-year history, has restructured itself based on the newly enacted "Basic Law for Electric Industry Development" and launched with a significantly revamped system and role in April 2026. This is not just a name change; it is a reorganization to serve as the representative platform for the electric industry in line with the changing times.
The role of the association is clear. It aims to unify the voices of the industry, which were previously scattered across various sectors such as power generation, transmission and distribution, electrical equipment, and construction, and propose them as policy tasks to the government, while also supporting system improvements and the discovery of support projects. The foundational work of the Korea Electric Association, including the operation of electrical equipment technical standards and power industry technical standards (KEPIC), policy research, and professional workforce training, will continue.
Furthermore, the association will strengthen its role as a communication platform where companies, power generation firms, academia, and research institutions can discuss the future together, acting as a bridge between the government and the industry. This will create a virtuous cycle where policy directions are accurately conveyed to the field, and the realities of the field are reflected in policies. This is the vision that our electric industry aims to realize.
South Korea currently stands at the center of international competition over AI supremacy. The three major megaprojects reaffirm that the practical foundation of this competition ultimately lies in electricity. If timely electricity supply is a prerequisite for the nation's leap forward, then the electric industry must steadfastly fulfill its role as the starting point.
As the importance of the industry grows, so too does the weight of the collaborative systems and policy platforms that support it. What is needed now is an environment where the entire electric industry can look in the same direction and grow together, beyond the competitiveness of individual companies and sectors. The Korea Electric Industry Association will take responsibility as the focal point and coordinator of the industry in this historic task. We will steadfastly maintain our position alongside the field and the public, ensuring that electricity can illuminate the future of South Korea.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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