Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) is South Korea’s largest electric utility company, responsible for approximately 93% of the nation's electricity generation. Established in 1898 as Hanseong Jeongi Hoesa, the company has played a pivotal role in the country's electrification and industrialization. Over the years, KEPCO has evolved into a vertically integrated utility, overseeing the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity across South Korea. The company operates through six wholly owned subsidiaries, each focusing on different aspects of power generation and maintenance.
KEPCO's operations encompass a diverse energy mix, including coal, liquefied natural gas (LNG), nuclear, and renewable energy sources. The company has been instrumental in developing South Korea's nuclear energy capabilities, notably through the design and deployment of the APR-1400 reactor, an advanced pressurized water nuclear reactor. This reactor design has been implemented both domestically and internationally, with four units operational in the United Arab Emirates.
Beyond domestic operations, KEPCO has expanded its presence internationally, engaging in power generation and maintenance projects across 24 countries, including the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. The company has also developed significant infrastructure projects, such as the Haenam–Cheju and Jindo–Jeju high-voltage direct current (HVDC) submarine cable systems, which enhance the reliability of power supply to Jeju Island.
In recent developments, KEPCO has been in preliminary discussions with the British government to construct a nuclear power plant at the Wylfa site in Anglesey, Wales. This initiative aligns with the UK's efforts to revitalize its nuclear energy sector and underscores KEPCO's commitment to expanding its global footprint in the energy industry.