LS Electric signed a strategic cooperation agreement to establish a voltage-source HVDC joint venture at CIGRE 2026, the world's largest power grid technology exhibition, held Tuesday in Paris (local time). Pictured from left: Johan Windell, CEO of GE Vernova's Grid Systems Integration business; Philippe Piron, CEO of GE Vernova's Electrification segment; Koo Ja-kyun, chairman of LS Electric; and Chae Dae-seok, CEO of LS Electric. [LS Electric]
LS Electric signed a strategic cooperation agreement to establish a voltage-source HVDC joint venture at CIGRE 2026, the world's largest power grid technology exhibition, held Tuesday in Paris (local time). Pictured from left: Johan Windell, CEO of GE Vernova's Grid Systems Integration business; Philippe Piron, CEO of GE Vernova's Electrification segment; Koo Ja-kyun, chairman of LS Electric; and Chae Dae-seok, CEO of LS Electric. [LS Electric]

LS Electric is moving to establish a joint venture with global power infrastructure company GE Vernova to strengthen its competitiveness in the voltage-source converter (VSC) high-voltage direct current (HVDC) sector.

LS Electric said Wednesday it signed a strategic cooperation agreement to form the VSC-HVDC joint venture on Tuesday (local time) at CIGRE 2026, the world's largest power grid technology exhibition, held in Paris. The joint venture will operate under the name Grid X Technology, chosen to reflect the concepts of grid reliability, integration and exchange.

The signing ceremony was attended by 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 Windell.

Through the joint venture, the two companies plan to collaborate in South Korea's VSC-HVDC market, supply key equipment, and jointly develop solutions and strategies. They will also work together to support the buildout of South Korea's next-generation power grid and expand into global HVDC markets.

"This partnership combines world-class VSC-HVDC technology with LS Electric's experience executing domestic HVDC projects, with the goal of building a more reliable energy highway for South Korea," Chairman Koo said. "Building on this partnership, we will strengthen our competitiveness so that South Korea can lead global HVDC technology and business."

Piron said the collaboration would combine GE Vernova's global HVDC technology and experience with LS Electric's strengths in local manufacturing and project execution, helping build the reliable transmission infrastructure South Korea needs for its future energy supply and economic growth.

LS Electric said it expects the partnership to further enhance the reliability of the government's West Coast Energy Highway project — a national initiative to transmit large-scale renewable energy generated in the Honam region and along the west coast to the Greater Seoul area.

LS Electric is the only domestic manufacturer with experience supplying core equipment for commercial HVDC projects in South Korea. Following its work on the Bukdangjin-Godeok HVDC project, the company is currently supplying key equipment for the East Coast–Greater Seoul HVDC project. The experience gained through those projects, combined with GE Vernova's technology, will further sharpen its competitive edge.


keg@heraldcorp.com