Riding strong results on rising power demand from AI Hyosung Heavy Industries and LS Electric also ramp up production
Participants pose for a commemorative photo in front of the 500kV ultra-high-voltage transformer to be delivered on this occasion, during the ceremony marking the production of the 1,000th ultra-high-voltage transformer at HD Hyundai Electric’s North American manufacturing subsidiary. From the left, fourth and fifth: Barbara Hampton, President and CEO of Georgia Transmission, and Kim Young-gi, President and CEO of HD Hyundai Electric. Courtesy of HD Hyundai
In the US market, where large-scale construction of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and replacement of aging power grids are underway, domestic power equipment manufacturers are continuing to post “strong results.” HD Hyundai Electric has set a milestone by becoming the first Korean company in the industry to produce its 1,000th ultra-high-voltage transformer locally.
HD Hyundai Electric recently held a ceremony at its North American manufacturing subsidiary in Alabama, United States, to commemorate the production of its 1,000th ultra-high-voltage transformer. The product has specifications of 500kV (kilovolts) and 675MVA (megavolt-amperes). It will be supplied to US transmission utility Georgia Transmission and used to support power supply in the state of Florida.
HD Hyundai Electric currently holds the No. 1 market share (26%) in the US market for ultra-high-voltage transformers with a capacity of 100MVA or higher. The cumulative power capacity of the 1,000 transformers supplied to the US market since the establishment of its North American manufacturing subsidiary in 2011 is sufficient to meet the electricity demand of approximately 13 million households locally.
Hyosung Heavy Industries and LS Electric are also expanding production on the back of growing performance in the US market. In the second quarter of this year (April–June), operating profit at both companies jumped by more than 60% year-on-year.
In the US market for 765kV ultra-high-voltage transformers—where high consumer voltage makes insulation technology critical—Hyosung Heavy Industries holds the No. 1 position with a market share of around 50%. The company is expanding its plant in Tennessee, United States, which manufactures these products. Once an additional expansion project costing KRW 230 billion is completed in 2028, it will become the largest transformer plant in the region. LS Electric is also increasing by sixfold the area of its plant in Utah, United States, which manufactures distribution boards, a type of power distribution equipment that functions like a circuit breaker panel. With an investment of KRW 250 billion, the company is targeting the start of operations early next year.
Choi Won-young
AI-translated with ChatGPT. Provided as is; original Korean text prevails.
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