10.6 billion won solar equipment testing center to be established

Korea Conformity Laboratories President Cheon Yeong-gil (right) poses for a photo after receiving a presidential decoration from Uzbekistan in recognition of his contributions to the country's economic development, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on Monday (local time). [KCL]
Korea Conformity Laboratories President Cheon Yeong-gil (right) poses for a photo after receiving a presidential decoration from Uzbekistan in recognition of his contributions to the country's economic development, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on Monday (local time). [KCL]

Korea Conformity Laboratories said Tuesday that its president, Cheon Yeong-gil, received a presidential decoration from Uzbekistan in recognition of his contributions to the country's economic development.

According to KCL, Cheon signed an agreement with the Uzbek Agency for Technical Regulation in Tashkent on Monday (local time) to establish an internationally accredited testing institution for renewable energy equipment.

KCL and the Uzbek Agency for Technical Regulation completed a project last year to build an internationally accredited testing laboratory for air conditioner energy-efficiency certification. The facility now operates as the sole accredited testing institution in the energy-efficiency sector designated by the Uzbek government, and all air conditioners sold in Uzbekistan's domestic market must obtain certification through it. The presidential decoration recognizes KCL's contributions to Uzbekistan's economic development through its work building the country's testing and certification regime, establishing internationally standard infrastructure, and providing related technology cooperation.

Under the new agreement, the two organizations will jointly carry out an official development assistance project — "Establishment and Operation of a National Quality Certification System for Renewable Energy Equipment in Uzbekistan" — funded by the Korea Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning Institute under the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy. The project, led by KCL, will receive a total of 10.6 billion won ($7.79 million) through 2029, and the center is expected to operate as the sole accredited testing institution for renewable energy designated by the Uzbek government after it is established.

KCL plans to build a comprehensive solar equipment testing center in Piskent, Tashkent Province, and introduce more than 50 types of equipment for testing solar modules (IEC 61215 and IEC 61730) and inverters (IEC 62109).

The project will also support improvements to the national certification regime, accreditation as an internationally recognized testing institution under ISO/IEC 17025, and the training of local specialists. Business roundtables and joint seminars will also be held to help Korean companies expand into Uzbekistan and Central Asia.

"This presidential decoration is an achievement we reached together with testing and certification experts from both countries," Cheon said. "As discussed at the South Korea-Uzbekistan summit on Sept. 14, we will build on our cooperation experience in the energy-efficiency sector and expand it into renewable energy to support the spread of renewable energy in Uzbekistan."

He added that KCL would also work to help Korean companies resolve difficulties they face on the ground through the ODA project.


oskymoon@heraldcorp.com