By Cho Mu-hyun

LG Electronics announced Thursday that it won an order from the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) to build a new solar energy plant at the nation’s southern industrial city of Younggwang, South Jeolla Province.

KHNP is a subsidiary of the government-backed Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) that develops green eco-friendly energy plants.
The plant will be built by cooperation of LG Groups’ electronics subsidiary and LG CNS, which develops information technology for the group. LG Electronics will provide the module, while CNS will oversee the construction.

Construction will start next week and be completed by October.

The 10.9-megawatt solar energy module will boast high efficiency and a single crystal which is advantageous in confined areas, according to company officials. Power plants built from this model can provide energy for up to 4,890 households, and reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 5,940 tons annually.

“To create an efficient solar energy plant, we will create a close relationship with affiliated companies,” said Lee Chong-ho, head of LG Electronics’ solar energy division. “LG Electronics will lead the domestic solar energy market with efficient solar batteries and high-output modules.”

The company has recently been associated with numerous government projects involving its solar energy technology. It provided a 2.2-megawatt solar energy plant for the Yeosu Expo along with an exhibition center, and put a 5.5-megawatt module in the city of Sejong and Taean West Power.

“The company has many domestic projects under discussion with government agencies,” said an LG Electronics repesentative. “We are also eyeing foreign markets and have numerous clients in the United States and Europe.”