대한전선

Taihan Completes Construction of HVDC Test Center, Accelerating Global Market Expansion

- Enables simultaneous testing of two 640kV-class HVDC cable circuits, strengthening product competitiveness

- The dedicated testing infrastructure enables fully in-house execution of development, validation, and certification activities

- “We will continue to expand our presence in the global HVDC market, underpinned by robust technological capabilities,” the company said.

Taihan has established core infrastructure to enhance its HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) cable competitiveness and accelerate its expansion into the global market.

On January 29, Taihan held a completion ceremony for a dedicated HVDC cable test center to mark the milestone.

The event was attended by key executives and employees, including Vice Chairman Song Jong-min of Taihan Cable & Solution and Kim Dae-heon, Head of Planning at Hoban Group. Participants shared the achievements of the facility’s construction and reviewed strategies for expanding the company’s HVDC business.

The newly completed HVDC test center spans approximately 7,000 square meters and is located at the company’s Dangjin Cable Plant, enabling close integration with existing production infrastructure. 

The facility can simultaneously test two 640kV-class HVDC cable circuits (links)—both onshore and submarine—allowing flexible responses to project-specific requirements and standards. This capability is expected to shorten product development and certification timelines and enable faster incorporation of customer requirements, thereby strengthening competitiveness in winning contracts and overall market responsiveness.

A key feature of the center is the consolidation of critical testing equipment required to verify the safety and reliability of HVDC cables. Designed to comprehensively evaluate a wide range of performance characteristics in a single location, the facility provides a one-stop testing environment without the need to relocate equipment or rely on separate facilities. With the establishment of this dedicated infrastructure, Taihan can now conduct long-term reliability testing (PQ Test), which typically takes more than one year, as well as temporary overvoltage (TOV) testing, a key required test in international HVDC cable qualification processes.

At the ceremony, Vice Chairman Song stated, “The HVDC test center is a cornerstone infrastructure that demonstrates Taihan’s technological strength,” adding, “By internalizing the entire process—from product development and validation to certification—we are now able to proactively respond to domestic and international HVDC projects, including the ‘West Coast Energy Highway’ initiative.” He further emphasized, “We will continue to expand our presence in the global HVDC market.”

Amid rapidly growing global demand for HVDC, Taihan has identified HVDC cables as a key future growth driver and has continuously invested in technology development and infrastructure. In December 2022, the company developed Korea’s first 500kV LCC HVDC cable system, followed by a 525kV VSC HVDC cable system, earning recognition for its world-class technical capabilities.

HVDC technology, optimized for long-distance and large-capacity power transmission, is considered essential for cross-border power grid interconnections and the expansion of renewable energy sources such as offshore wind and solar power. Industry experts forecast that the global HVDC market will more than double, growing from approximately KRW 70 trillion in 2020 to KRW 159 trillion by 2030.