South Korea: South Korea’s exports of ultra-high-voltage transformers surged to a record high last year reaching a record $1.3 B, driven by heavy investment in power infrastructure for data center expansion worldwide.

According to the Korea International Trade Association, shipments of transformers rated at 10,000 kVA or higher exceeded $1 B for the first time since 2010, marking the highest level since records began in 1977. The United States was the largest buyer, importing around $738 M worth, with exports to the country rising nearly sevenfold over the past three years.

Demand is being driven by the need to replace ageing grid equipment and connect new, power-hungry AI data centres. These facilities require high-capacity, high-efficiency transformers to handle dense GPU server loads and surging electricity use.

The International Energy Agency expects global data-centre power demand to more than double to about 945 TWh by 2030, with AI-focused centres leading the increase. In the US, data centres are projected to account for nearly half of electricity demand growth by the end of the decade.

Rising demand has led to severe transformer shortages. Lead times for large units now exceed 200 weeks, delaying data-centre projects. Korean manufacturers including HD Hyundai Electric, Hyosung Heavy Industries and LS Electric have secured order backlogs stretching five to six years ahead and are expanding production in the US and at home.

Korean firms hold roughly 25 % of the US transformer market and are also seeing growing demand from the UK as grid modernisation accelerates.

Investor interest has surged alongside exports, with shares of major Korean power-equipment makers hitting record highs over the past year.

Source: ajupress.com

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#AI data centres#exports#HD Hyundai Electric#Hyosung Heavy Industries#LS Electric#South Korea#transformers

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