The 3GW Promise South Korea’s Mega AI Data Centre Explained
One of the world’s largest AI data centres is expected to be built in the Republic of Korea by 2028.
Set to be the biggest AI data centre by capacity, the proposed new data centre has received an initial revenue of US$3.5bn and is set to go ahead sometime this year. The project will be undertaken by Fir Hills Inc, which is part of the investment company Stock Farm Road (SFR), which is a new venture co-founded by LG tycoon Brian Koo and Dr Amin Badr-El-Din.
Both men are behind a host of technology, energy and public-private partnerships around the world and are working with the Jeollanam-do government in South Korea to develop the project. In February 2025, they signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Governor Kim Yung-Rok of Jeollanam-do Province.
Kim Yung-Rok stated: “This project is not just about economic growth; it's about positioning Jeollanam-do as a global leader in innovation and creating a brighter future for our citizens.”
Making South Korea a data centre superpower
Initially, the data centre project size is estimated at north of US$10bn (15 trillion KRW) and holds the potential to reach US$35bn (50 trillion KRW).
Such a groundbreaking initiative hopes to establish one of the world’s largest AI data centres, featuring advanced cooling infrastructure, regional and international fibre bandwidth and the ability to handle significant and sudden variations in energy load.
Already, South Korea is a global digital powerhouse and invests heavily in emerging technologies such as semiconductors, next-generation networks, AI, big data and quantum computing. Now, this Jeollanam-do data centre project aims to serve as a foundation for next-generation AI enablement, thereby hoping to foster greater innovation and economic growth in the region and beyond.
Construction is set to be completed in 2028 and is expected to create jobs across Energy Supply and Storage (ESS), renewable energy production, equipment supply and research and development (R&D) sectors.
It is also hoped the data centre will serve millions of people, including hundreds of major corporations, data centre hyperscalers and developers.
“This is more than just a technological milestone, it's a strategic leap forward for Korea's global technological leadership,” shares Dr Amin Badr-El-Din, co-founder of SFR. “We are incredibly proud to partner with Stock Farm Road and the Jeollanam-do government to build this crucial infrastructure, creating an unprecedented opportunity to build the foundation for next-generation AI.”
Supporting a swelling data centre industry
Developers for this new 3GW data centre hope the facility will play a critical role in shaping the future of global digital infrastructure. According to the official statement, the project will feature advanced cooling infrastructure and the ability to handle power load fluctuations to better support AI.
Partnering to deliver this data centre is designed to leverage the unique strengths of all involved. For one thing, SFR brings its expertise in transforming energy infrastructure into intelligence through its innovative Energy-to-Intelligence (e2i²) engine, while other parts of the SFR group bring access to capital through its extensive network, financial resources and a strong understanding of markets both across Asia and in the West.
A collaborative approach will ensure accelerated access to critical resources and facilitate seamless integration with government initiatives, the company says.
Likewise, the Jeollanam-do government has provided crucial support, which includes securing the necessary permits and approvals and ensuring access to essential resources.
Co-founder of SFR Brian Koo explains how this significant partnership represents the commitment of both regional and national leaders to fostering technological innovation and economic development across South Korea.
“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,” he says.
Looking ahead, SFR plans to establish similar AI infrastructure partnerships across Asia, Europe and the US over the next 18 months. Its growing network of strategic relationships positions SFR to help lead future infrastructure development.
Brian adds: “This data centre is not merely an infrastructure project, but the launchpad for a new digital industrial revolution.”
To read the full article in the magazine, click HERE.
Explore the latest edition of Data Centre Magazine and be part of the conversation at our global conference series, Tech & AI LIVE and Data Centre LIVE.
Discover all our upcoming events and secure your tickets today.
Data Centre Magazine is a BizClik brand