South Korea has announced plans to build a groundbreaking artificial intelligence data centre with a capacity of 3 gigawatts , positioning it as the largest of its kind globally. The project, spearheaded by investment firm Stock Farm Road , is set to commence construction in late 2025 and aims for completion by 2028. The total investment is projected to reach $35 billion , marking a significant milestone in the nation’s technological advancement.
The data centre will be situated in the Jeollanam-do province, a region in the southwestern part of the country. This location was strategically chosen to address challenges such as land availability and energy supply that have hindered similar projects in more densely populated areas like Seoul. The facility is expected to generate an initial annual revenue of $3.5 billion and create over 10,000 jobs across sectors including energy supply, renewable energy production, equipment manufacturing, and research and development.
Brian Koo, co-founder of SFR, highlighted the transformative potential of the project, stating, “Having witnessed firsthand the immense technological capabilities of large Asian enterprises, I recognise the potential of this project to elevate Korea and the region to a new level of technological advancement and economic prosperity.” His sentiments underscore the strategic importance of the data centre in bolstering South Korea’s position in the global AI landscape.
The Jeollanam-do provincial government is actively supporting the initiative by facilitating necessary permits, approvals, and resources. Governor Kim Yung-rok expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, noting that the project aligns with the province’s goals of fostering innovation and economic growth. The government’s involvement ensures that the data centre will have access to essential resources such as energy and water, which are critical for its operations.
Dr. Amin Badr-El-Din, another co-founder of SFR, emphasised the broader implications of the project: “This is more than just a technological milestone; it’s a strategic leap forward for Korea’s global technological leadership.” The facility will feature advanced cooling systems and robust regional and international fibre connectivity, enabling it to handle high-intensity AI workloads efficiently. This infrastructure is designed to serve millions of users and support hundreds of major corporations, including hyperscalers and AI developers.
The global data centre services market is projected to reach $438.3 billion by 2030, reflecting the surging demand for AI-powered digital infrastructure. South Korea’s ambitious project is poised to play a pivotal role in meeting this demand, positioning the nation as a leader in AI, energy, and data-driven technologies. SFR’s proprietary Energy-to-Intelligence platform will be integral to the data centre’s operations, transforming energy infrastructure into AI-powered intelligence.
In addition to the Jeollanam-do project, SFR has outlined plans to establish similar AI data centres across Asia, Europe, and the United States over the next 18 months. This global expansion strategy aims to create a network of advanced AI infrastructure, fostering innovation and economic growth on an international scale.
