The Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) announced the conclusion of the international power technology exhibition, BIXPO 2026, which attracted over 22,000 attendees from both domestic and international backgrounds. This year, the focus was on connecting new energy technologies with actual investments and commercialization, resulting in export contracts and memorandums of understanding (MOUs) worth $1.85 million.
BIXPO 2026, held from November 4 to 6 at the Kimdaejung Convention Center in Gwangju, was themed "Tech Innovation meets Possibility" and featured participation from 198 companies across various sectors, along with 46 conference sessions.
A significant change this year was the introduction of a startup investment section, which expanded the exhibition's role from merely facilitating technology exchanges to fostering investment attraction and business collaboration. The startup investment section included 100 promising companies and 37 investors from four fields: energy and power, artificial intelligence and future technologies, eco-friendly materials, and smart industries. These companies explored commercialization opportunities through one-on-one investment consultations, discussions on collaboration with demand companies, and investment attraction presentations.
According to the Korea Startup Forum, a total of 297 one-on-one business matching sessions took place between startups, investment institutions, and industry companies during the event. The scale of investment consultations was estimated at approximately 107.6 billion won, with 40 startups presenting their technologies and business models through investor relations (IR) sessions.
The exhibition also showcased innovative technologies representing the future of the power industry, covering the entire value chain from power generation to transmission and operation. Notably, technologies such as offshore wind power, high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission, and direct power supply systems for data centers were highlighted as solutions to the growing demand for renewable energy and advanced industries.
KEPCO presented the "AI Virtual Power Grid," which simulates an actual power grid in a virtual space. This technology aims to enhance the operational efficiency of power grids and optimize equipment investment through the use of AI and digital technologies. Additionally, a "Global Alternative Investment Conference" was held to discuss the commercialization of new energy technologies and global investment linkage strategies, focusing on connecting industry and finance around energy deep tech.
In the export consultation sessions aimed at expanding companies' overseas markets, 21 foreign buyers participated, leading to the signing of export contracts and MOUs worth approximately $1.85 million.
The job fair attracted 1,852 job seekers who participated in on-site interviews and recruitment consultations. Events were also held where startups and experts in entrepreneurship and investment shared their growth experiences.
KEPCO President Kim Dong-cheol stated, "This BIXPO 2026 did not merely share solutions for changes in the energy industry. It successfully materialized the meeting of innovation and possibility by providing opportunities for innovative technologies to meet the market and for companies to find growth partners."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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