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KEPCO Wins Preliminary Zero-Energy Building Grade 1 Certification for Major Office Building, a First in Korea

Policy1 min read

Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) says its new office building in Gangwon will be the first large office building in Korea to get a preliminary Zero Energy Building (ZEB) Grade 1 certificate. The building is planned to produce about as much energy as it uses.

What happened

KEPCO said on the 4th that its new Gangwon Regional Headquarters building received a preliminary ZEB Grade 1 certificate. The building is in Hupyeong-dong, Chuncheon, Gangwon Province. It was first certified at ZEB Grade 3. KEPCO then added more energy technology and raised the rating to Grade 1. Construction started in December this year, and the building is expected to finish in 2029.

Key numbers

  • Total floor area: 16,471 square meters (over 15,000 square meters counts as a large building)
  • Solar power capacity raised from 491 kW to 805 kW
  • Solar module efficiency raised from 20.6% to 23.1%
  • Energy self-sufficiency rate raised from about 69% to about 106%

What is a ZEB?

A Zero Energy Building (ZEB) is a building that uses very little energy and makes its own energy, for example with solar panels. The government wants all public buildings to reach ZEB Grade 1 by 2050. KEPCO says its plan is 25 years ahead of that goal. The building will also test new energy tools, such as perovskite solar panels that fit into windows and very efficient solar cells.

Why it matters

This shows that public companies can lead the way on clean energy and carbon neutrality. KEPCO also plans to apply the same Grade 1 standard to its other buildings, including the Gyeongbuk headquarters that is now being planned. The building may also help new energy technology grow in Korea.

What to watch

  • Whether the building reaches Grade 1 certification after construction is finished
  • Progress of construction, which is planned to finish in 2029
  • Results of the new solar technologies tested in the building
  • Whether the Gyeongbuk headquarters also gets the Grade 1 rating

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