Hyosung Chairman Cho Hyun-Joon targets U.S. AI power market with 22.9kV SST

• World's first 22.9kV Solid State Transformer (SST) developed, securing a competitive edge with next-generation technology.
• Completed local production bases for transformers and breakers in the U.S., cementing its position in the American power equipment market.

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- With the advent of the artificial intelligence (AI) era, optimizing power supply networks has emerged as a critical global challenge. In the United States, the surge in power demand driven by the proliferation of AI and data centers, coupled with the need to replace aging grid infrastructure, is driving large-scale investment in power infrastructure.

Anticipating these transformative shifts in the power market, Hyosung Chairman Hyun-Joon Cho has spearheaded proactive investments to meet the demands of the AI and data center era. These investments are now supporting Hyosung Heavy Industries' efforts to strengthen its position in the U.S. AI and data center power market.

"Driven by the expansion of AI and data centers, power infrastructure has now become a core industry directly linked to national security," stated Chairman Cho. "Building on Hyosung Heavy Industries' U.S. manufacturing facilities and technological prowess, we must establish ourselves as an irreplaceable, essential long-term partner in stabilizing the American power grid."

Hyosung Heavy Industries plans to accelerate its push into the U.S. AI data center power market by combining next-generation grid technologies with its U.S. manufacturing base and established strengths in power equipment, including ultra-high-voltage transformers and circuit breakers.

Pioneering Next-Generation 22.9kV SST Technology

Hyosung Heavy Industries identified the Solid State Transformer (SST) as an indispensable technology for power transmission and distribution in the AI era, initiating preemptive research and development. In 2022, the company successfully developed the world's first 22.9kV 1.05MVA-class SST capable of direct connection to urban distribution networks. This milestone secured a competitive advantage in next-generation power conversion technology, strengthening the company's position as it moves to capture emerging market opportunities.

SST is a next-generation power system that utilizes power semiconductors to precisely control voltage and current while maintaining the insulation functions of conventional transformers. It is considered a field with high technological barriers to entry, demanding sophisticated power control capabilities. According to global market research firms, the global SST market is projected to grow at an average annual rate of more than 40%, supported by the modernization of power infrastructure. The large-capacity SST market for data centers handling high voltages of 22.9kV and above is in its nascent stages, with only a limited number of companies worldwide pursuing commercialization and demonstration projects. With the market still in its early stages, Hyosung Heavy Industries plans to accelerate its efforts to secure an early-mover position based on its advanced technology.

Expanding U.S. Manufacturing and Strategic Partnerships

Hyosung Heavy Industries is continuously expanding its ultra-high-voltage transformer production base. The company has invested a total of USD 300 million in the acquisition and expansion of its ultra-high-voltage transformer manufacturing facility in Memphis, Tennessee. Once the ongoing expansion is completed, the company will secure one of the largest ultra-high-voltage transformer production capacities in the United States.

Furthermore, Hyosung Heavy Industries has established a joint venture with Quanta Services, a leading North American energy infrastructure solutions company, to locally produce 72.5kV to 800kV ultra-high-voltage circuit breakers in Pennsylvania. Through this strategic move, Hyosung becomes the first Korean power equipment manufacturer to secure local production capabilities for both ultra-high-voltage transformers and circuit breakers in the U.S. market.

Quanta has an extensive business presence and customer network across the United States, providing infrastructure solutions for large-scale power demand facilities.

By leveraging Quanta's industry-leading infrastructure solutions and Hyosung's world-class technological expertise, the company aims to strengthen its competitive edge. Hyosung Heavy Industries aims to establish itself as a key player in the data center power infrastructure market by integrating its accumulated technological prowess, its robust U.S. local production base, and next-generation power grid technologies such as SST, Energy Storage Systems (ESS), STATCOM, and High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) systems.

Website: https://www.hyosung.com/en/

SOURCE HYOSUNG CORPORATION; Hyosung Heavy Industries