Korea Electric Power (KEPCO) proposed that Samsung Electronics and SK hynix prepay five years of future power bills to help finance large infrastructure projects, according to Newsis on Thursday.
The prepayment scheme would amount to roughly ₩25 trillion total: ₩20 trillion from Samsung Electronics and ₩5 trillion from SK hynix. Both companies are among South Korea's largest power consumers and use significant electricity for chip manufacturing and data center operations. The government views the arrangement as a way to access working capital for mega-projects without raising borrowing costs.
Last year Samsung Electronics paid ₩4.1 trillion in power bills and SK hynix paid ₩900 billion, according to filings. A five-year advance at those rates would deliver ₩24.5 trillion in cash before any price adjustments or volume changes. KEPCO framed the initiative as a partnership addressing simultaneous needs: the companies secure tariff certainty and KEPCO obtains capital for a broader investment program.
SK hynix's consolidated revenue in FY2025 reached ₩97.1 trillion. The company holds ₩14.9 trillion in cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2026. Details of the proposal, including proposed tariff rates or payment terms, were not disclosed.
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| Symbol | Last Price |
|---|---|
| 000660SK hynix Inc. | ₩1,647,000 +3.2% |
| 005930Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | ₩255,500 +2.2% |