9-Year Process Shortened to 7 Years, 2030 Completion Target

Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) has officially begun construction of the West Coast High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Energy Highway. KEPCO announced on the 19th that it has started the design process for submarine cable routes this month. This project, which will transport renewable energy from West Coast offshore wind farms to the metropolitan area, involves the phased construction of four HVDC transmission networks by 2038. In particular, Phase 1 connecting Saemangeum and the metropolitan area is planned to be completed by 2030, one year ahead of the original schedule.

HVDC is a technology that converts AC power to DC for ultra-high voltage long-distance transmission, minimizing transmission losses and making it essential for large-scale renewable energy transport. It is critical infrastructure for efficiently delivering large-scale offshore wind power generated along the West Coast to major demand centers in the metropolitan area.

Construction Period Reduced by 2 Years Through Process Innovation

KEPCO has decided to significantly shorten the HVDC transmission network construction process, which typically takes more than 9 years. The basic design process, which previously took more than 2 years, will be completed within this year through process improvements, with plans to bid for submarine cable construction contracts in early 2026 and select contractors.

Notably, KEPCO will conduct marine surveys this year in advance—work previously performed by cable manufacturers after contract signing—allowing manufacturers to begin cable production immediately upon contract. This strategy aims to shorten the overall project timeline through process parallelization.

KEPCO completed site selection for eight converter stations last year and made a final decision early this year to build the HVDC transmission network underwater, comprehensively considering economics, constructability, and energy security. The company is also reviewing expanded support measures for fishermen to minimize impacts on fishing areas from submarine cable construction.

Establishing Cooperation System with Government, Local Authorities, and Manufacturers

KEPCO has formed working-level consultative bodies with the government and local authorities to complete project permits in the shortest possible time. It has also established consultative bodies with domestic cable manufacturers to secure large-scale submarine cable production capacity in advance and is pursuing the introduction of equipment necessary for construction, including super-large laying vessels.

This project is positioning itself as more than simple infrastructure construction—it's a project that drives technological advancement across Korea's entire power equipment industry. A KEPCO official stated, "This project is a symbolic initiative that presents the direction for Korea's future power grid and will be an important turning point for building future power systems."

Domestic Competition Heats Up Ahead of 5 Trillion Won Bid

The West Coast HVDC Energy Highway project is estimated at a total of 5 trillion won, and technological competition among domestic power equipment companies is intensifying. Hyosung Heavy Industries announced plans to complete the design and development of a 2GW voltage source HVDC system by 2027 and begin mass production in 2029.

Domestic power equipment companies including LS Electric and Iljin Electric are also accelerating bid preparations by showcasing HVDC-related technologies and strategies. LS Cable & System possesses the world's first commercialized 500kV 90-degree (high-temperature) HVDC cable technology and is already collaborating with KEPCO on the 'East Coast-Singapyeong' transmission network construction project.

Strategic Importance of HVDC Technology

HVDC technology is more than just transmission technology—it's core infrastructure for national energy transition. While renewable energy such as offshore wind is mainly produced in coastal areas, major electricity demand is concentrated in inland metropolitan cities. HVDC technology that can minimize long-distance transmission losses is essential to efficiently connect these areas.

Korea plans to significantly expand its renewable energy share to achieve its 2050 carbon neutrality goal. This requires HVDC transmission networks connecting large-scale offshore wind farms with demand centers, and the West Coast Energy Highway can be considered the starting point of this major power grid transformation.

[AI Analysis] Energy Transition and Industrial Ripple Effects

The West Coast HVDC Energy Highway project is likely to become more than simple transmission infrastructure—it could be a key turning point in Korea's energy transition. The 2030 Phase 1 completion target is a critical timeline for achieving the 2035 renewable energy generation share goal and is expected to play a decisive role in expanding offshore wind investment.

From the perspective of Korea's domestic power equipment industry, the 5 trillion won project is expected to accelerate localization of core HVDC technologies. If domestic companies including Hyosung Heavy Industries, LS Electric, and Iljin Electric establish mass production systems by 2027-2029, their competitiveness in bidding for overseas HVDC projects could also strengthen.

However, several risk factors exist for achieving the challenging 2030 completion goal: potential delays in fishing rights compensation issues during submarine cable route selection, possible disruptions in securing large laying vessels and cable manufacturing schedules, and potential delays in government and local authority permit procedures.

Nevertheless, with KEPCO actively pursuing process parallelization strategies such as forming advance consultative bodies with manufacturers and proactively conducting marine surveys, the likelihood of achieving the target schedule appears sufficient. The success of this project is expected to be a touchstone for determining whether Korea can leap forward as a renewable energy powerhouse.