Photograph) An LS Cable & System employee inspects the construction site of the Donghae-Singhamyeong project, where 500 kV HVDC cable, which has the world's largest transmission capacity, is being installed.


■ Commences Cable Work at Donghae-Singhamyeong, Strengthening Leadership in Large-Scale Power Grids
■ Proven Technological Competitiveness in Key Power Grids, with South Korea’s Only HVDC Submarine and Underground Construction Experience
■ “Commercialization Experience is Key in HVDC” Actively Pursuing Participation in West Coast and European HVDC Projects


The largest high-voltage direct current (HVDC) project in South Korea and the highest-capacity in the world has officially begun.

LS Cable & System announced on the 24th that it has started construction on the Donghae-Singhamyeong transmission network construction project of the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), and is installing the world's first commercialized 500 kV 90℃ (high-temperature) HVDC cable. 

The Donghae-Singhamyeong section is the Phase 1 project of the Donghae-Capital Area Initiative, which aims to transmit power generated in the Donghae region to the Seoul Metropolitan Area. It is considered core infrastructure for enhancing the stability of the national power supply.

The cable being used in this project is a high-specification product that can increase the transmission capacity by up to 50%, as the conductor's permissible temperature is higher than existing 70℃ products. Its technological capability was officially recognized when it passed KEPCO’s preliminary qualification screening in June. 

LS Cable & System is the only company in South Korea with experience executing both submarine and underground HVDC projects. The company has performed all domestic HVDC cable projects, including Jeju-Jindo, Jeju-Wando, and Bukdangjin-Godeok, and is the sole supplier for the entire length of this current project.  

Kim Hyeong-won, head of LS Cable & System's Energy/Construction Business Division, stated, "Commercialization experience is key in HVDC projects to secure power grid stability." He added, "We will actively expand our participation in major domestic and international projects, such as the West Coast HVDC Energy Highway, the Donghae-Capital Area Phase 2, and the European TenneT project."

HVDC is considered a core technology for the global energy transition, as it has lower transmission loss, making it advantageous for long-distance, high-capacity transmission compared to alternating current (HVAC). The related market is projected to grow from KRW 1.8 trillion in 2018 to approximately KRW 41 trillion by 2030.

Around 40 key figures attended the groundbreaking ceremony held in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, including Kim Hyeong-won, head of LS Cable & System's Energy/Construction Business Division, Kim Ho-ki, head of KEPCO's HVDC Construction Division, and Kim Dong-kyu, head of KEPCO's New Transmission Construction Office.