Photograph) Employees of LS Cable & System test high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables at the Gumi plant


■ World's first commercialized 525 kV, 90℃ HVDC cable increases transmission capacity by up to 50%
■ To supply phase 1 of East Coast-Metropolitan Area Grid Project from September, and push ahead for phase 2
■ To participate in West Coast HVDC Energy Highway project in collaboration with LS Marine Solutions


LS Cable & System announced on the ninth that it has successfully commercialized the world’s largest-capacity ultra-high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable, and has been designated as the sole supplier for phase 1 of the KEPCO East Coast-Metropolitan Area HVDC Power Grid project, Korea's largest.

This 525 kV high-temperature HVDC cable features an increase in the permissible temperature of the conductor from 70℃ to 90℃, which will enhance the transmission capacity by up to 50%. This cable is scheduled to be deployed in the phase 1 HVDC underground section of the East Coast-Metropolitan Area project in September.

Although similar technology has been developed overseas, this is the first time that a mass-produced product will be actually applied to a power grid. The power industry is praising it as a “milestone that transcends technological limitations.”

The East Coast-Metropolitan Area Power Grid project is a key national power grid project designed to efficiently transfer power generated in the East Sea region to the metropolitan area. The first phase is the East Coast-Singapyeong converter station section, and the second phase, which will connect to the metropolitan area, is also being pushed forward.

HVDC cables are considered a key technology for the carbon-neutral era due to their ability to transmit power over long distances, up to three times longer than conventional alternating current cables (HVAC), while lowering transmission losses. The global market is expected to grow from KRW 1.8 trillion in 2018 to KRW 41 trillion in 2030.

Although LS Cable & System began developing HVDC cables in 2008, later than Europe (1950s) and Japan (1990s), it has become a leading company in this field in just over 10 years. Only six companies worldwide have succeeded in commercializing this technology, and LS Cable & System is the only one in Korea. 

“Competitiveness in the HVDC market depends on securing commercialization technology.,” said Lee In-ho, CTO of LS Cable & System. “In partnership with LS Marine Solutions, we plan to actively participate in major domestic and international projects, such as the West Coast HVDC Energy Highway Project, Phase 2 of the East Coast-Metropolitan Area Project, and Phase 2 of Germany’s TenneT Project.”