KEPCO Completes Construction of World-Class Ultra-High Voltage Direct Current Transmission Cable Test Facility

Jung Seung-il, President of Korea Electric Power Corporation (sixth from the left in the photo), is participating in the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the completion ceremony of the High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) cable test facility held on the 27th at the Gochang Power Test Center in Jeonbuk.

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) held a completion ceremony for the ultra-high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable testing facility at the Gochang Power Test Center in Jeonbuk on the 27th. HVDC transmission technology is effective in significantly reducing power loss during the transmission of electricity generated at power plants.

Currently, domestically, 500kV-class cables, submarine cables for renewable energy integration, and long-distance ±800kV-class cables for inter-country grid connections are under development. With the establishment of this testing facility, KEPCO can easily conduct demonstration tests on HVDC cables currently under development. The facility allows for international standard operation, performance, and specification verification tests of ±800kV-class HVDC cables, and it is also possible to test two HVDC cables simultaneously.

In 2023, it is planned to be utilized for large-scale domestic offshore wind power projects such as the 1.2GW Southwest Jeonbuk Offshore Wind Farm, and in 2024, the 1.5GW Sinan Offshore Wind Farm. Additionally, as demand for HVDC cables for inter-country grid connections increases annually, it is expected to enhance competitiveness for overseas exports.

KEPCO stated that with the completion of the testing facility, the certification period for internationally accredited tests by existing European certification bodies is expected to be shortened by at least six months, and testing costs will be significantly reduced. They also added that it will be advantageous for distributed power acceptance and will greatly contribute to achieving domestic carbon reduction goals.

At the completion ceremony, KEPCO President Jeong Seung-il said, "We will prepare for the future of the power grid and enhance the international competitiveness of domestic cable manufacturers," adding, "We expect it to contribute to the expansion of renewable energy for carbon neutrality."