Korea Electric Power's technology commercialization and investment arm makes its official debut, drawing more than 150 attendees to its launch ceremony
The company aims to build a virtuous cycle linking technology development, demonstration, commercialization and investment to strengthen the future energy industry
Centered on Bitgaram Innovation City, the launch is expected to accelerate growth in new energy industries through expanded industry-academia-research-government cooperation
A full innovation cycle — spanning energy technology research and development through commercialization, investment and corporate growth — is now under way in Naju.
With the official launch of Kepco Technology Holdings, Korea Electric Power's dedicated technology commercialization and investment subsidiary, the Naju Energy Valley has moved a step closer to becoming a complete energy innovation ecosystem covering the entire pipeline from R&D and demonstration to commercialization, investment and business growth.
The city of Naju announced Monday that the launch ceremony for Kepco Technology Holdings was held Friday at Korea Electric Power's Vision Hall in Naju.
The ceremony drew more than 150 attendees, including Naju Mayor Yun Byeong-tae, Minister of Climate, Environment and Energy Kim Sung-hwan, Assembly members Shin Jeong-hun and Jeong Jin-uk, Korea Electric Power President Kim Dong-cheol, Korea Power Exchange Chairman Kim Seong-jin and Lee Jong-min, the company's inaugural chief executive, along with representatives from government agencies, local authorities, energy public institutions, universities, businesses and investment organizations.
The event featured presentations on the company's founding background, vision and operational roadmap. MOUs were also signed covering the establishment of a direct-current industry hub, cooperation on domestically produced solar inverters, and the formation of an investment alliance involving participating investment institutions.
Kepco Technology Holdings is an advanced technology holding company Korea Electric Power established with 100 billion won ($72 million) in capital, dedicated to energy technology commercialization, investment and startup support.
Going forward, the company plans to connect promising technologies held by Korea Electric Power, the Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH) and others with innovative companies, supporting the full process from technology transfer and startup formation through demonstration, product development, investment and entry into domestic and overseas markets.
The company is particularly expected to fill gaps in technology commercialization by expanding early-stage seed investment in the energy deep tech sector — where commercialization requires significant time and capital — and to build a virtuous cycle that channels investment returns back into R&D and the cultivation of new companies.
Naju expects the launch to significantly strengthen the innovation foundation of the Energy Valley it has built alongside Korea Electric Power over the past decade or so.
Naju is already home to a concentration of major energy institutions, including Korea Electric Power, Kepco KDN, Kepco Plant Service & Engineering, the Korea Power Exchange and KENTECH, while future energy infrastructure — an artificial-sun research facility, a national energy industrial complex, a materials-parts-equipment specialized complex and a next-generation power grid — is being developed in stages.
Once Kepco Technology Holdings is fully operational, the innovation ecosystem linking R&D, technology commercialization, investment, corporate growth and market entry is expected to become more firmly established, injecting new momentum into the competitiveness of the future energy industry and the revitalization of the local economy.
Naju city said it will continue to strengthen industry-academia-research-government cooperation and expand the foundations for corporate growth and residential conditions to create an environment in which Kepco Technology Holdings can grow on stable footing.
"The launch of Kepco Technology Holdings is an important turning point for the Naju Energy Valley as it leaps forward into a complete energy innovation ecosystem where technology, talent and capital are organically connected," Mayor Yun said. "We will build an even stronger foundation for institutions and companies to grow together so that innovation in Korea's energy industry can continue from Naju, and develop the city into an energy innovation hub that the world takes notice of."
kkm9971@heraldcorp.com
