Seoul, South Korea – On May 9th, KEPCO (Korea Electric Power Corporation) President Kim Dong-cheol met with the Kyrgyz Energy Minister Talai Ibraev at the Orakai Hotel in Seoul to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at technical cooperation in the energy sector. This agreement marks a strategic step for KEPCO in expanding its operations into Central Asia, particularly in Kyrgyzstan, a country about twice the size of South Korea, located in the northeastern part of Central Asia, with a population of approximately 6.9 million. The Kyrgyz economy is heavily dependent on exports of agricultural products (like cotton and tobacco) and raw materials (including gold, mercury, and uranium). 

MOU Signing Ceremony Details

• Date/Location: May 9, 2024, 16:30 – 17:30 at the Orakai Hotel Conference Room, Daehangno
• Signatories: CEO of KEPCO ↔ Minister of Energy of Kyrgyzstan

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• Main Content of the MOU
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  • Areas of Cooperation: Development and implementation of energy sector projects; exchange of expertise and R&D in electricity; collaboration in research, education, and practical demonstrations.
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  • Methods of Cooperation: Joint exploration of projects through the exchange of new energy technologies such as HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current), AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure), and ADMS (Advanced Distribution Management Systems), and conducting feasibility studies and demonstration projects using ODA (Official Development Assistance).

President Kim Dong-cheol expressed his gratitude to Kyrgyzstan for trusting KEPCO as a partner in the power sector, stating, “We are eager to share KEPCO's experience in power sector growth with Kyrgyzstan and to continually collaborate in new energy businesses, including HVDC, ADMS, and AMI.” 

Minister Talai Ibraev commented on the agreement, “This MOU will foster the development of joint power projects and enhance the cooperative relationship between our two nations. We are committed to expanding the share of renewable energy sources as part of our national development program for 2040 and improving power quality through collaboration with domestic and international energy companies.” 

Looking ahead, KEPCO and the Kyrgyz Energy Ministry plan to intensify information exchange on new energy projects and actively seek opportunities for joint ventures. A working group between the Kyrgyz Energy Ministry and KEPCO will be established to select joint project items, conduct feasibility studies, and evaluate the viability of these projects, aiming for a gradual expansion of operations.