KEPCO and LS Cable Join Forces to Commercialize Submarine Cable Technology and Expand Globally

MOU Signed for Commercialization of SFL-R and SFL Technologies
at LS Yongsan Tower

LS Cable and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) announced on June 15 that they had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on June 13 at LS Yongsan Tower for the commercialization of SFL-R and SFL, underground and submarine cable condition assessment technologies developed by KEPCO. The two companies have joined forces to commercialize submarine cable technology and expand into the global market.

On the afternoon of the 13th, at LS Yongsan Tower in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, LS Cable and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the "Utilization and Commercialization of Underground and Submarine Cable Condition Assessment Technology." After the signing, Hyungwon Kim, Head of Energy and Construction Business Division at LS Cable (right), and Ilju Moon, Head of Technology Innovation Division at KEPCO, posed for a commemorative photo. Photo by LS Cable

LS Cable plans to apply KEPCO's real-time diagnostic technology (SFL-R) to its existing GIS-based cable asset management platform, providing customized diagnostic services according to customer needs and jointly pursuing commercialization efforts.

LS Cable's asset management platform integrates cable systems based on land, offshore, and submarine GIS. It utilizes digital twin technology to reproduce and analyze cable conditions in real time, supporting fault prediction and operational optimization. Combined with real-time vessel monitoring capabilities, it also offers risk prevention functions. With growing concerns about intentional damage to submarine cables, the integration of vessel monitoring and real-time diagnostics is expected to strengthen national capabilities to protect submarine cables.

Currently, HVDC cables are classified as high-risk assets due to the enormous restoration costs and prolonged service interruptions in the event of a failure. However, real-time diagnostic technology is still in the early stages of commercialization in the global market.

The two companies aim to target the HVDC submarine and high-risk, high-value-added cable markets, focusing on securing market leadership based on differentiated technological capabilities. LS Cable, in particular, plans to strengthen its competitiveness in securing orders by establishing technological superiority in national power grid projects such as the West Coast HVDC Energy Highway Project.

KEPCO stated, "With a differentiated system based entirely on domestic technology, we have established a packaged solution for integrated long-distance cable diagnostics," adding, "We expect this to provide a favorable position for global market expansion and enhanced technological competitiveness in the submarine cable sector."

Hyungwon Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of Energy and Construction Business Division at LS Cable, said, "This collaboration is part of the Team Korea strategy and will serve as an important opportunity to strengthen joint business proposals and technical cooperation in the global power grid sector."