LS Electric ramps up readiness for energy expressway project with HVDC solutions

LS Electric's high-voltage direct current converter transformer is tested at the firm's production line in the southeastern port city of Busan in this undated photo. Courtesy of LS Electric

LS Electric is ramping up readiness for the nation’s west coast energy expressway project with high-voltage direct current (HVDC) solutions.

The project is considered part of President Lee Jae Myung’s flagship energy policy, worth 11 trillion won ($7.93 billion). Under the project, the government aims to build undersea HVDC systems along the west coast by 2030 in a move to preemptively deal with soaring electricity demand while reducing Korea’s reliance on foreign firms.

LS Electric is drawing increasing attention as the nation’s leading provider of HVDC solutions. In 2013, the company was designated as the exclusive HVDC converter system provider here, and has since expanded its footing as a reliable player for large-scale power infrastructure projects here and abroad.

The company recently completed development for Korea’s first 500-megawatt-class voltage source converter transformer, the largest of its kind here. The equipment is set for commercialization and will be deployed at a HVDC converter station in the western port city of Incheon.

The company is also accelerating its entry into international markets long dominated by global players such as Siemens.

In July, LS Electric signed a partnership with GE Vernova, a global energy solutions provider, to localize key HVDC converter components. Both firms agreed to collaborate on domestic production of core components for voltage-source converter transformers, such as converter valves.

Boosting such partnerships with globally renowned firms and governments here and abroad, LS Electric is on track to rapidly expand its power solutions capabilities by offering turnkey solutions for large-scale HVDC transmission networks.

As the rise of artificial intelligence is forecast to boost demand for more stable power transmission, LS Electric is broadening their investment into relevant infrastructures. In 2011, the company committed 100.8 billion won to constructing a second production facility in the southern city of Busan. The facility is dedicated for functional testing and assembly of the firm’s HVDC solutions.

“LS Electric will sophisticate our technological prowess to provide a timely and stable supply of our much-sought-after HVDC solutions, for mega-sized government projects here and abroad,” an official from the company said.