Gwangju City and Jeonnam Province Highlight Next-Generation Technologies and Renewable Energy at BIXPO

10th BIXPO Held at Kim Daejung Convention Center
AI and Renewable Energy in the Spotlight at the New Technology Exhibition
Major Corporations Showcase Capabilities for the Energy Highway

On the morning of the 6th, booths for Gwangju City and Jeonnam Province were set up at the Big Expo New Technology Exhibition Hall held at the Kim Daejung Convention Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Min Chanki

The scene at the Bitgaram International Exposition of Electric Power Technology (BIXPO), held on the morning of the 6th at the Kim Daejung Convention Center in Gwangju. Many visitors, including those from other cities such as Seoul, Busan, and Daejeon, as well as local students and company representatives, attended the BIXPO event.

Marking its 10th anniversary this year, BIXPO is themed "Connecting through Energy." The event aims to integrate new technologies and industries through energy, lead the harmonious growth of companies, industries, and regions, and explore new directions in the energy era, such as carbon neutrality and AI expansion.

The venue features a New Technology Exhibition, Invention Technology Innovation Expo, and Job Fair on the first floor, while conference rooms on the second to fourth floors allow companies to share their achievements and technologies.

The New Technology Exhibition Hall is divided into four themed zones: "Clean & Smart," "Research & Innovation," "Energy Convergence," and "Local Tech-Biz." A total of 166 companies and organizations, including major domestic and international corporations such as POSCO, LS Group, HD Hyundai Electric, and GE Vernova, participated in the event.

In the local e-specialized industry pavilion located inside the exhibition hall, ten local governments, including Gwangju and Jeonnam, introduced key technologies and major companies from their respective regions, such as energy innovation projects.

Gwangju City presented its strategy to become a leading city in AI energy. The city highlighted its expansion of renewable energy through the installation of solar power on public idle sites and support for convergence projects, as well as its efforts to foster the secondary battery industry and establish a foundation for the hydrogen energy sector. Gwangju City's core strategies include: ▲ fostering strategic industries linked to the activation of distributed energy-specialized regions, ▲ securing super-gap technologies to lead the advanced green energy industry, and ▲ creating AI-based, high-efficiency urban energy service industries.

On the morning of the 6th, at the Big Expo New Technology Exhibition Hall held at the Kim Daejung Convention Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju, local company Resell introduced next-generation solar cell films. Photo by Min Chanki

Four companies participated in the Gwangju City Local Specialized Industry Pavilion: Mujin Technology, Resell Co., Ltd., Dongjin Enterprise, and Magnatech Co., Ltd. In particular, Resell attracted the attention of visitors by showcasing its flexible and ultra-lightweight solar film. Resell's solar film, which features high flexibility, is already being used in a variety of applications, including wearable devices, building exteriors, vehicles, greenhouses, and smart farms.

The Jeonnam Province booth, positioning itself as an "energy capital" based on abundant renewable energy, introduced its vision for constructing an energy highway and related initiatives. It emphasized its strengths in optimized fusion research and industrial positioning, thanks to a robust RE100 renewable energy base and advanced materials infrastructure in the Gwangyang Bay area.

Jeonnam Province highlighted its status as the national leader in installed capacity for renewable energy facilities, renewable energy potential, solar energy, and offshore wind energy, emphasizing its role as a specialized energy city. The province also discussed the need for pioneering policies such as an energy basic income, which would return profits from renewable energy generation to residents, ensuring equal benefits for all. Four companies-WP, Hyundai Steel Industries, Lex Innovation, and Kana ENG-were showcasing their core technologies at the Jeonnam Province booth.

At the center of the exhibition hall, major domestic power infrastructure companies demonstrated their technological capabilities ahead of the West Coast Energy Highway project. With the first phase of the West Coast Energy Highway project, led by KEPCO, set for completion in 2030 and full-scale implementation beginning next year, companies aimed to highlight their strengths and gain a competitive edge during this event.

On the morning of the 6th, LS Electric showcased the development of HVDC new technology at the Big Expo New Technology Exhibition Hall held at the Kim Daejung Convention Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Min Chanki

LS Electric, together with LS Cable & System, showcased its capabilities in localizing HVDC technology, its RE100 (100% renewable energy) energy platform, and AI data center customized solutions. The company's power infrastructure solutions, which are essential for the government's West Coast Energy Highway policy, large-scale renewable energy-linked long-distance transmission, and the construction of future power grids, stood out.

Hyosung Heavy Industries focused on its 200MW voltage-source HVDC (high-voltage direct current transmission system), which it successfully developed using proprietary technology for the first time in Korea. Hyosung's voltage-source HVDC technology is optimized for integration with renewable energy and is expected to play a pivotal role in the government's recently launched West Coast Energy Highway project.

HD Hyundai Electric presented a variety of high-voltage power equipment and technologies that contribute to building next-generation power grids and achieving carbon neutrality. Taihan Electric Wire attracted attention by exhibiting total solutions, eco-friendly new products, and new technologies designed to support the West Coast Energy Highway and offshore wind power projects.

The 10th BIXPO is sponsored by the Ministry of Climate and Energy Environment, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Gwangju City, and Jeonnam Province, with approximately 20,000 registered participants expected.

A KEPCO official stated, "BIXPO 2025 will become a collaborative platform where industry and regions can grow together, centered on new energy technologies," adding, "This year's event, marking the 10th anniversary, will serve as a major milestone in leading the future of the global energy transition."