Hyosung Opens Export-Only Circuit Breaker Plant to Expand Global Capacity

Hyosung Heavy Industries has launched a new export-focused circuit breaker plant in Changwon, South Korea, to boost its global production capacity. The company invested around KRW 100 billion in the 18,996 square meter facility, which commenced operations on October 16, 2026. The plant specializes in high-voltage circuit breakers rated at 420kV, 550kV and 800kV and complements the existing domestic production at the Changwon plant.

This expansion marks a shift towards a dual production system, doubling Hyosung's capacity for circuit breakers rated at 420kV and above at the Changwon operations. The new facility integrates component manufacturing, assembly, testing and shipment under one roof, improving production efficiency and delivery schedules for large overseas orders.

Additionally, the company has increased its production capacity for insulation components, a crucial part of high-voltage circuit breakers, by doubling it. Hyosung Heavy Industries is capitalizing on the rising global demand for power grid equipment driven by AI data centers and grid modernization. The expansion follows strong order momentum, with Hyosung's heavy industries division recording a KRW 17.507 trillion order backlog at the end of Q2 2026.

The new plant is strategically positioned in North America, where it has secured significant contracts. In June 2025, Hyosung signed a KRW 260 billion contract with a U.S. utility for high-voltage circuit breakers, and in 2026, it secured another KRW 787 billion contract with a U.S. transmission grid operator. The company is also expanding its footprint in Europe through collaboration with local power technology institutions.