Electrical Day Sees Many Tasks Ahead

Chmn Kim S.S. calls on industry to eye overseas operation expansion for a new jump in growth

The 44th Electricity Day ceremony took place at the Grand Auditorium of the Korea Electric Power Corp.(KEPCO) in Samsung-dong, southern Seoul on April 10 with some 1,000 people from the power industry, the government and the foreign diplomatic community on hand.
Leading the dignitaries at the ceremony were Vice Minister Kim Young-hak of the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, Chairman Kim Ssang-su of the Korea Electric Association, and Chairman Yashima Toshiaki of Japan Electrical Association, among others.
A total of 59 electrical industry leaders and related people won the medals and government citations in recognition for their contribution to the growth of the electrical industry including Chairman Koo Cha-yeol of the LS Cable Co. who won the top honor, the Order of Industrial Service Merit, Gold Tower. Vice President Kim Mun-dok of KEPCO won the Order of Industrial Service Merit Silver Tower, among other medal winners. Managing Director Yoo Young-hyun of Hyundai Engineering and Construction Co. clinched the Industrial Service Merit Bronze Medal, President Kwon Yong-hak of Daewon Electric co. won the Industrial Service Merit Iron Medal, and President Lee Yon-yong of Ilssin E&C won the Industrial Service Merit Stone Medal.
Chairman Kim Ssang-su, who also is chairman of the KEPCO,, in his congratulatory speech, said Electrical Day is very significant for Korea as it commemorates April 10, 1900, when electricity lit the Street Car Station at the cross-road of Jong-ro, Seoul, for the first time in the country. On the day, he said, the country renews the crucial importance of power in our lives as it also is an opportunity to make a new resolution for the development of the power industry in the country.
As every one knows, the power industry has been a root power leading the national industrial development, he said, boosting the living standard and the economic growth. As a result, the power industry is able to generate 70,000 Mw of electricity leading the world in the rate of loss in the power grid covering the nation and the power blackout rate per household.
Thanks to such technological advantage, the industry has been reaping tremendous results all over the world in various areas of power technologies, including power generation, and distribution in such countries as China, the Philippines, and Kazakhstan, in Asia and other regions, including Russia, South America, India, Turkey, and Jordan, among others, the chairman said.
However, not all is good with the industry at the present time, despite such shiny progress. The fossil fuel reserve is drying up, and earth warming have presented with an environment never before experienced by the industry, slowing down its growth.
"We should not buckle under this challenge," Kim called out, saying that the industry should expand its overseas operation, not restricted to domestic operation. He said the industry is faced with a great opportunity to expand its overseas operation in many parts of the world starting with the United States and other advanced countries having to replace old power generation facilities and emerging countries faced with the growing demand for power supply and have to build new power plants to back up their industrial development.
The power industry can dominate the center of the global trade by expanding its presence in the construction of power plants and exports of power facilities. The industry should be able to lead the green technology development, especially, on futuristic growth engines including the smart power grid and be ready to feed the country in a decade hence, Kim said.
But, he said, he is sorry to note that the heavy electrical equipment, power generation facilities and other equipment makers have yet to catch up with those in advanced countries, requiring them to do their best to improve their capabilities.
"Let's swear ourselves that the power industry will be able to get ahead of chips and shipbuilding industries to lead the industrial development and stand out as a representative industry in Korea," the chairman concluded his speech.
Vice MKE Minister Kim, in his congratulatory speech, said the MKE will promote policies to reduce the consumption of energy by improving its effective use and implementing the basic plan for national energy, covering the strategies for the development of the green energy industry.
The vice minister noted that the power industry in Korea has made an astounding growth to back up the national economic development to generate over 70 million kw with the loss rate reaching the world levels. The nuclear power industry has joined those enjoyed by advanced countries in terms of core technology, making a great contribution to the stable supply of power so much so that the industry is expanding its overseas advancement through the "smart grid" system.
Kim said the smart grid system will be further developed to make it a leading futuristic growth industry in solving problems associated with energy, and environment, along with fostering the green industry. In this connection, Kim urged every one in the power industry and related organizations to do his or her best in upgrading technology development, productivity and exploration of export market.
This year's ceremony was especially significant as it marked 122 years since electricity was introduced to Korea and the biggest event in the power industry with a delegation of the Japanese electrical association led by Chairman Yashima Toshiaki coming all the way from Tokyo to attend the event.
The Korea Electrical Association held a number of side-events such as a workshop on electric installation technology standards, and Korea-Japan electrical technology exchange conference, in addition to "Love Electricity Marathon" held on April 10 sponsored by organizations related to the power industry. nw

A view of the 44th Electricity Day ceremony on April 10 at the auditorium of Korea Electric Power Corp. with Chairman Kim Ssang-su of the Korea Electrical Association delivering his speech.

Vice Minister Kim Young-hak of the Ministry of Knowledge Economy gives a speech at the 44th Electricity Day ceremony.