LS Electric and LS Cable & System to Target European Super Grid Market at CIGRE 2026

LS Electric and LS Cable & System are partnering to enter the European power infrastructure market through a joint exhibition at CIGRE 2026 in Paris from August 23 to 28. The companies will showcase High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) and AI data center power solutions to capture a share of the estimated 584 billion euro investment required for EU grid upgrades by 2030.

According to the European Commission, approximately 40% of the EU’s distribution networks consist of equipment older than 40 years.

Targeting the 584 Billion Euro Grid Gap

The European Commission estimates that 584 billion euros in investment is necessary by 2030 to modernize grids and connect renewable energy sites to urban centers.

LS Electric is positioning itself to fill this gap by focusing on the HVDC market. According to reports from mtnews.net and gungsireong.com, the company is leveraging its status as the only entity in South Korea with a track record in current-source HVDC projects. At the Paris event, they will display conversion transformers (C-TR) and introduce next-generation voltage-source HVDC technology.

To ensure grid stability during the transition to volatile renewable sources, LS Electric is also presenting Static Synchronous Compensators (STATCOM), which manage reactive power to prevent blackouts and voltage drops.

AI Data Centers and the Shift to DC Power

Beyond traditional utility grids, the companies are targeting the explosion of AI data centers.

LS Electric is utilizing its “DC Factory” experience—a 100% direct current distribution plant in Cheonan—to market high-performance DC distribution equipment. This includes semiconductor transformers (SST) and semiconductor circuit breakers (SSCB) designed to reduce power conversion losses. Simultaneously, LS Materials, a subsidiary of LS Cable & System, is showcasing ultracapacitors (UC) capable of responding to the instantaneous high-power demands typical of AI workloads.

Total Grid Solutions for Energy Transition

While LS Electric handles the conversion and stability side, LS Cable & System is focusing on the physical transport of energy. The company is presenting a “total grid solution” that includes:

• HVDC submarine and underground cable systems for long-distance transmission.
• Superconducting cable systems to minimize energy loss.
• Global installation expertise for interconnecting national grids.

This strategy targets the increasing number of large-scale offshore wind farms and inter-country power link projects. By combining cable technology with LS Electric’s conversion hardware, the group aims to offer a turnkey solution for the “Super Grid” concept.

A representative from LS Electric stated that the company intends to expand the growth momentum achieved in North America into the European market, maximizing synergy between LS affiliates to increase market share.

The CIGRE Influence and Industry Standards

Established in 1921 in France, CIGRE is a global academic and professional organization where the world’s power companies and manufacturers define the technical standards for the next decade of electricity transmission.