LS ELECTRIC is stepping up its push into next-generation power grids by forming a joint venture with global power infrastructure company GE Vernova to develop voltage-source converter (VSC) high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology.
LS ELECTRIC said on the 26th that it had signed a strategic cooperation agreement with GE Vernova to establish the voltage-source HVDC joint venture at CIGRE 2026, the world's largest power grid technology exhibition, held in Paris on the 25th local time.
The signing ceremony was attended by executives from both companies, including LS ELECTRIC Chairman Koo Ja-kyun, LS ELECTRIC CEO Chae Dae-seok, GE Vernova Electrification CEO Philippe Piron, and GE Vernova Grid Systems Integration CEO Johan Bindele.
The joint venture was named Grid X Technology, reflecting the concepts of a power grid's Reliability, Integration and eXchange.
Building on the joint venture, the two companies plan to cooperate in the domestic voltage-source HVDC market. They intend to develop joint solutions and strategies, including the supply of core components and the joint execution of domestic HVDC projects.
The partners will also set up a framework to support the construction of Korea's next-generation power grid and to expand into the global HVDC market. Voltage-source HVDC can control voltage and current without support from an external grid, drawing attention as a next-generation power technology that stably connects large-scale renewable energy sources with weaker grids.
LS ELECTRIC expects its partnership with GE Vernova to further strengthen the reliability of the government's "West Coast Energy Highway" project. The West Coast Energy Highway is a state project to reliably transmit large volumes of renewable energy generated in the Honam region and along the west coast to the greater Seoul area. The project's success requires core voltage-source HVDC technology, proven project execution capabilities, and a stable supply chain.
LS ELECTRIC is the only domestic manufacturer with experience supplying core components for a commercial HVDC project. Following the success of the domestic North Dangjin–Godeok HVDC project, the company is currently supplying core components for the East Coast–Seoul Metropolitan Area HVDC project.
Chairman Koo said, "This partnership aims to combine world-class voltage-source HVDC technology with LS ELECTRIC's experience in executing domestic HVDC projects to build Korea's energy highway more reliably." He stressed, "Based on this partnership, we will strengthen our competitiveness so that Korea can lead global HVDC technology and business."
Piron added, "Korea is entering a new stage of power infrastructure development in which generation and transmission-and-distribution grids must advance together." He said, "HVDC is essential for efficiently delivering generated electricity to where it is needed, and it can help build the reliable transmission infrastructure that Korea's future energy and economic growth require."
Separately, LS ELECTRIC has built the country's largest HVDC production base at its Busan plant, equipped with an integrated production system that can handle the design, manufacturing and performance testing of core components such as converter transformers (C-TR).
