Ha Hee-bong, the vice president of the Busan-Ulsan District Division of the state-run Korea Electric Power Corp., recently spoke to The Korea Herald about the local office’s plans on future management.

He said his office will promote various business strategies including improving old power facilities and investing in underground power lines.

If these projects are implemented without a hitch, he expects that Busan and Ulsan will become the center of value creation and growth engines in those regions.

The following are excerpts of his interview with The Korea Herald.

Q: What are your feelings on taking office as head of the Busan-Ulsan KEPCO headquarters?

A: Looking back performance in recent years, Busan-Ulsan KEPCO has entered its golden days. It was selected as the No.1 global electricity company by Forbes and as the best electricity supplier for two consecutive years by the World Bank. However, the impact of environmental changes on the electric power industry -- such as the decline in power demand growth and tightened environmental regulations -- urges us to move forward with ingenious strategies.

Firstly, changes and innovation will have to be settled. At the forefront, we will listen to the voices of our customers and employees and reflect them in our strategy to lead the future of KEPCO.

Secondly, for regional economic vitalization, investment expansion in the new energy industry will be promoted. We will enlarge our power utilities for industrial complex construction in a timely manner and lead the electricity-based high-tech industry to thrive in Busan.

Lastly, we will become a beloved company through implementation of social contribution activities and differentiated services.

Q: What are the main business strategies of Busan-Ulsan KEPCO? 

A: As we recognize that Busan is a “rising hot place,” we replaced obsolete power utilities in Gwangbok-dong and demolished ground equipment from 2009 to 2015. Our subsequent plan is to invest 350 billion won ($300 million) in facility reinforcement and power utility improvement for stable power supply this year.

We also anticipate investing 6.2 billion won for the underground work of 30 power lines and installing low-noise power apparatus in Busan in order to make the port a benchmark for other cities.

Also, high-quality electricity will be available through preventive maintenance, maintaining the lowest electrostatic time at 10.88 minutes on average, with frequent diagnosis and emergency restoration training.

Moreover, we will preemptively install power supply infrastructure for grand-scale development sites and housing areas, including Busan New Port’s global industrial logistics city development site.

By promoting these business strategies, Busan-Ulsan KEPCO will become the center of value creation and a national growth engine, leading other relevant industries.

Q: What will be the relationship with other power-related industries?

A: In order to advocate symbiotic development with other power industries, Busan-Ulsan KEPCO will strengthen mutual cooperation through free education and partnership.

In addition, we will share information and implement manufacturing plant field trips in order to form a co-prosperous partnership between KEPCO and power equipment enterprises.

An economic model with local power plants will be established to adjust industrial conflicts and create cooperative business circumstances.

Q: How will KEPCO communicate with local customers?

A: As we are currently aiding veterans’ residential environment, we will continue to contribute to society by supporting welfare facilities with local companies.

Moreover, enhancement of service capabilities will be featured by bolstering education and training of our employees. Energy education for youths, our future customers, will be executed as well.

By Yoon Jung-hee and Shin Min-gyu (cgnhee@heraldcorp.com) (mingyu2449@heraldcorp.com)