[Sponsored Report] Kepco goes global with green energy, charity
In September, Korea Electric Power Corporation and Korea Nuclear Association for International Cooperation co-hosted the Nuclear Value Chain Road Show: Equipment Supply in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Provided by the company
To proactively respond to the environmental changes affecting the global market and to be a leader in low-carbon green growth, Kepco is developing eco-friendly power technologies such as integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC), carbon capture and storage (CCS) and offshore wind turbines. Kepco is also pursuing green management by actualizing smart grid technology and the next-generation power grid, to maximize energy efficiency and provide high-quality power services.
Developing green technology
With global warming receiving worldwide attention, Kepco has been pursuing counter-measures in accordance with the climate change conventions in the energy industry. The company plans to take the lead in the SF6 Emission Reduction CDM operation overseas, including in Southeast Asia, and is focusing on CCS to develop an innovative carbon absorbent.
The company is also in the process of developing and testing IGCC, an eco-friendly thermal generation technology that combines coal gasification and compound gas turbine generation technology. It is also pursuing carbon emission reduction technology by test-operating a rental business of electric cars and by launching the Carbon-Free Island project on Gapado Island in Jeju.
Kepco also successfully operated the Smart Grid Test Site on Jeju Island, a next-generation power grid that maximizes energy consumption efficiency by incorporating IT to the conventional grid. Kepco seeks to establish the Smart Grid nationwide by 2030.
In order to achieve this goal, the company operated a Smart Grid testing complex on Jeju Island between 2009 and 2013, at which five sectors were tested to improve the power system efficiency and develop the output stabilization technology for renewable energy.
Moreover, Kepco is aggressively investing in renewable energies, which is key to grappling with climate change. A variety of research is taking place in the areas of offshore wind energy, solar energy and bio energy to secure core technology.
In particular, Kepco is superintending national research projects to make Korea a “top 3 offshore wind energy player by 2020.” The company is developing technology necessary for the designing of the complex, its operation and the linking of offshore wind energy systems to the grid through such projects as the 2.5GW Offshore Wind Energy Complex in the Southwestern Sea.
Investing in overseas projects
While continuing efforts to provide the domestic market with secure energy, Kepco is expanding overseas. Once concentrated in Southeast Asia, its international projects are now reaching other areas of the globe like the Middle East, Africa and South America. These projects span a variety of fields such as nuclear energy, hydro and thermal energy, renewable energy, transmission and distribution, and resource development.
Kepco plans to respond to the slowing of domestic demand and establish a framework for sustainable growth.
In terms of nuclear energy, Kepco is employing its “Choose and Focus” marketing strategy on countries such as Vietnam, Saudi Arabia and South Africa, with its world-class stability and a high capacity factor.
Kepco is also currently handling diversified overseas transmission and distribution projects, having successfully completed consultation projects in the Philippines, Myanmar, Indonesia, Libya, Egypt, Ukraine and Paraguay, and is currently handling 15 consultation projects in West Africa, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan.
Actively investing in CSR
Under the theme “New Vision for Socially Responsible Management,” Kepco has been pursuing active social contribution activities in various fields. It is running diverse projects to help the most vulnerable in society.
The Kepco Volunteer Group has ties with 287 regional children’s centers, the highest number among public institutions, and offers children educational support, cultural experiences and mentoring.
Through its Social Enterprise Support Project, the company gave 380 million won ($354,666) to social enterprises and created 60 jobs. Its Hope Rainbow Project helps the vulnerable start their own businesses and supports social enterprises.
Through its Eye Love Project, Kepco successfully gave eye surgery to 60 Koreans and 40 foreigners with visual impairment. Its Love Energy project also donated 1.84 billion won to 14,110 households for 10 years from 2003 to 2012, helping basic livelihood security recipients and low-income families pay their electricity bills. For the first time in the history of public institutions, Kepco established the Kepco 119 Rescue Squad in 2010. As many as 854 team members have participated in 22 relief projects ranging from heavy snow and hurricanes to the shelling of the Yeonpyeong Island.
Kepco’s social contributions are not restricted to Korea. In 2012, overseas volunteer groups were formed in the Philippines and Jordan for long-awaited projects such as the replacement of aging electrical systems, medical assistance and education.
Such global charity activities will expand to more regions as Kepco actively carries out projects in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Africa.
By Park So-yeon [soyeon_park@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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