[Power Industry Transformation] ④Beyond Transmission to Distribution... 10 Trillion Won Long-Term Distribution Investment Begins

Korea Electric Power Corporation to Add 255 New Circuits by 2028

Korea Electric Power Corporation, LS Electric, and LG Electronics are taking a commemorative photo after signing a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the successful establishment of a renewable energy-linked DC factory and the expansion of the industrial ecosystem at the LS Electric Cheonan plant. LS Electric

With the expansion of renewable energy, domestic investment in power distribution is increasing following transmission, raising expectations within the power industry.

According to the power industry on November 27, Korea Electric Power Corporation plans to invest 10.2 trillion won over five years from 2024 to 2028 in accordance with the first long-term distribution plan. Korea Electric Power Corporation aims to construct 255 circuits and 6,476 circuit kilometers (c-km) over the five-year period through 2028.

The equipment distribution plan is based on the Special Act on the Promotion of Distributed Energy, which requires Korea Electric Power Corporation to establish a long-term distribution plan of at least five years every two years. This year marks the announcement of the first plan.

Distributed energy refers to a local power system that generates electricity near the point of demand. Since local power relies on the distribution network, investment in the distribution network must precede its activation. In particular, as the amount of renewable energy connected to the distribution network increases, investment in distribution is expected to expand further in the future.

Korea Electric Power Corporation predicts that the capacity of facilities connected to the distribution network will increase by 44%, from 25.5 GW in 2025 to 36.6 GW in 2028. Of this, solar power is expected to account for 95%. Over the next five years, Korea Electric Power Corporation also plans to connect 14 GW of distributed energy to the distribution network.

Although this first distribution plan does not specify details, future plans are expected to include investments in direct current (DC) distribution, as renewable energy sources such as solar power generate electricity in DC. Power equipment companies are actively developing DC distribution technologies, including low-voltage direct current (LVDC) and medium-voltage direct current (MVDC), in preparation for DC distribution investment.

In November last year, Korea Electric Power Corporation launched the K-DC Alliance, which brings together industry, academia, research institutes, and government to expand DC distribution. LS Electric, in collaboration with Korea Electric Power Corporation and LG Electronics, is building the "renewable energy-linked DC factory," the core demonstration project of the K-DC Alliance.