Japanese billionaire Masayoshi Son’s ambitious plan for a north-east Asian energy “super grid” has been given a boost after winning the backing of the head of South Korea’s state-run energy group.
Cho Hwan-eik, Kepco chief executive, on Thursday hailed the project as going “beyond economics”, saying it had the potential to ease the region’s persistent tensions. “We have carried out a preliminary feasibility study on the project and concluded that it is feasible economically and technically,” he said.
The plan to connect the electricity networks of South Korea, China, Japan, Mongolia and Russia is ostensibly aimed at bolstering the region’s energy security. But it has also been championed in recent months by Moon Jae-in, South Korea’s new president, as a foundation for deeper regional economic and security integration.