[Insight] Europe Needs €584 Billion for Its Power Grids. LS Is Betting on HVDC and AI Data Centers
Europe’s energy transition is entering a phase in which generating more renewable electricity is no longer enough. The continent also needs a much larger and more sophisticated grid to move that electricity across long distances, connect national power systems and supply a new generation of power-hu
Europe's transition to renewable energy demands a vast, advanced grid to distribute electricity across long distances and power emerging AI data centers. The European Commission projects an investment of €584 billion in grid infrastructure by 2030 to support this shift. Currently, 40% of Europe's distribution grids are over 40 years old, necessitating replacement and modernization.
South Korean firms LS ELECTRIC and LS Cable & System are preparing for this opportunity by participating in CIGRE 2026 in Paris, showcasing technologies like HVDC systems, submarine cables, and DC distribution infrastructure for AI data centers. HVDC is ideal for transmitting large amounts of electricity efficiently over long distances, particularly for offshore wind-generated power.
LS ELECTRIC will exhibit converter transformers and next-generation voltage-source converter HVDC technology, while LS Cable & System will display HVDC submarine and underground cable systems. The companies' combined offerings address various aspects of the electricity value chain, from generation conversion to transmission and distribution.
As Europe expands offshore wind farms and cross-border transmission links, efficient DC distribution becomes crucial to reduce conversion losses and improve energy efficiency. LS ELECTRIC has already implemented a DC-distributed factory in South Korea and is developing solid-state transformers and circuit breakers for broader applications, including AI data centers.
LS Cable & System's subsidiary, LS Materials, is targeting the AI data center sector with ultracapacitors for rapid response to high-power demand and grid stabilization. This broader strategy indicates a shift away from selling individual components to developing comprehensive solutions across the entire electricity infrastructure.
The need for grid upgrades is becoming a bottleneck for economic growth, as electrification, electric vehicles, renewable energy, and AI data centers simultaneously increase electricity demand. With aging grids unable to meet the demands of new factories and data centers, Europe faces a potential multi-year infrastructure cycle to ensure reliable power delivery.
CIGRE 2026 presents a critical opportunity for LS ELECTRIC and LS Cable & System to demonstrate their innovative solutions and secure a significant role in Europe's evolving power infrastructure landscape.
Written by urgent.news from Korea IT Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
