KEPCO Establishes 10GW Power Supply Facility Plan for Yongin Semiconductor Cluster

[Financial News] A facility plan, including the construction of a new substation for the 10GW power supply to the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster, has been established. This project, which involves an investment of 72 trillion 800 billion won, is expected to solve the power supply issue that has been a long-standing wish of the semiconductor industry, while also generating a production inducement effect of 134 trillion won and an employment inducement effect of about 480,000 people.
 Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) announced on the 27th that it has established the '11th Long-Term Transmission and Substation Facility Plan' and confirmed it at the 312th Electricity Committee of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
 The 11th facility plan aims to supply power to advanced strategic industries such as the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster and to respond seamlessly to changing power supply and demand situations. This is based on the power demand and generation facility outlook announced in the '11th Basic Plan for Power Supply and Demand' in February and is a detailed plan for transmission and substation facilities applied over 15 years from 2024 to 2038.
 According to the plan, the system will be reconfigured for the efficient operation of the Honam-Capital Region High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission, and the power supply infrastructure reflecting the power demand of national advanced strategic industries such as semiconductors will be expanded. The Honam-Capital Region HVDC, considering the current voltage-type HVDC technology level (maximum unit capacity of 2GW), converter station site acquisition, and system reinforcement conditions, will change from the existing 4GW class 2 routes (completed in 2036) to 2GW class 4 routes (completed in stages in 2031, 2036, and 2038).
 To supply the large-scale power of more than 10GW required for the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster in a timely manner, a facility plan including the construction of a new substation within the industrial complex and connection with the existing power grid has also been prepared. Additionally, the construction schedule for the ongoing power grid construction projects in Hanam City and Dangjin City has been adjusted by comprehensively considering construction delays and changes in system conditions.
 KEPCO expects that a total investment of 72 trillion 800 billion won will be needed for this facility plan by 2038. The KEPCO Management Research Institute analyzed the impact of this facility plan on the national economy as approximately 134 trillion won in production ripple effect and about 480,000 people in employment inducement.
 A KEPCO official stated, "Through the 'Special Act on the Expansion of National Power Grids' enacted last February, we plan to enhance the momentum for construction projects, increase resident-friendly substations, and establish a neutral electromagnetic wave management system to enhance resident acceptance of power facilities and construct them in a timely manner."
leeyb@fnnews.com Lee Yubum Reporter