발전산업에서의 한일 기업간 협력: 한국중부발전 사례를 중심으로

Cooperation between Korean and Japanese Companies in the Power Generation Industry: Focusing on the Case of Korea Midl and Power Co.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the power generation industry structures of Korea and Japan, examine the cooperation between Korean and Japanese power generation companies by focusing on the case of Korea Midland Power Co. (KOMIPO), and explore various directions for cooperation between companies of both countries from the perspective of a Korean thermal power company. Research design, data, and methodology: In this study, after presenting an analytical framework to examine cooperation in the power generation industry, the power generation industry structures of Korea and Japan are analyzed. As an example of actual cooperation, we present the case of cooperation between KOMIPO and Japanese companies in Southeast Asia, and suggest future directions for cooperation between companies in the two countries in terms of implications. Results: The difference in industry structure between the two countries is that the Korean power industry has developed in a nationwide integrated state, while the Japanese industry has developed regionally. Additionally, compared to the Japanese industry, the Korean industry has grown very rapidly over the past 30 years. On the other hand, similarities include the isolation of the power grid at the national level and the high proportion of thermal power generation. In the case study of KOMIPO, the following facts were found: The company has actively promoted overseas expansion to overcome the limitations of the domestic market, particularly in Southeast Asia. In Indonesia, it is cooperating with Marubeni at the Cirebon Unit 1 power plant, with Marubeni and JERA at the Cirebon Unit 2 Power plant, with Sumitomo Corporation in the Tanjung Jati power plant. In Vietnam, it is cooperating with Sumitomo Corporation at the Van Phong power plant. Notably, the previous trust relationships established in cooperation with each Japanese general trading company have led to new cooperation projects. Although KOMIPO’s current cooperation with Japanese companies is centered on the Southeast Asian thermal power generation business, future cooperation is expected in the fields of power generation equipment export, technology development related to decarbonization, and renewable energy business. Implications: The following directions were suggested for future cooperation between Korean and Japanese companies in the power generation industry. First, while current cooperation is focused on coal-fired power generation, it was suggested to expand cooperation into LNG power generation and renewable energy. Second, collaboration in terms of technology development and raw material procurement for power generation was proposed. Third, it was recommended that Korean and Japanese SMEs realize economies of scale by supplying power generation equipment to power generation companies in both countries and that Korea and Japan connect their power grids in the future to ensure a stable power supply between the two countries.