A 3GW Pledge: Plans for the Largest AI Data Centre Explained
One of the world’s largest AI data centres is expected to be built in South Korea by 2028.
The facility is expected to have 3GW of capacity and an initial revenue of US$3.5bn, whilst also creating around 10,000 new jobs. As a whole, the project could reach a total value of US$35bn, marking a significant advancement in South Korea’s technology leadership.
- 3GW of capacity
- US$3.5bn initial revenue
- 10,000 new jobs created
- 2025 commencement
It will reportedly be the largest AI data centre in the world by capacity. Construction is expected to go ahead in 2025 and will be overseen by investment company Stock Farm Road (SFR), which has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with South Korean governor Kim Young-rok.
Construction of the world's biggest AI data centre by capacity, with an initial annual revenue of $3.5 billion is set to go ahead in 2025 in South Korea.
Advancing Korean tech leadership
The project is being undertaken specifically by Fir Hills Inc, which is part of SFR and is a new venture co-founded by Brian Koo and Dr Amin Badr-El-Din, the driver behind a host of successful technology, energy and public-private partnerships worldwide.
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.
It will also serve as a foundation for next-generation AI enablement, thereby fostering greater innovation and economic growth in the region and beyond.
The Jeollanam-do centre is set to be completed in 2028 and will create jobs across Energy Supply and Storage (ESS), renewable energy production, equipment supply and research and development (R&D) sectors.
It is hoped the centre will serve millions of people, including hundreds of major corporations, including 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
The global data centre industry continues to boom, with the data centre services market in particular projected to reach US$438.3bn by 2030. This is on account of high business demand as a result of emerging technologies like AI and cloud services, which are designed to better meet the evolving needs of the business landscape.
Developers for this new 3GW data centre hope the facility will play a critical role in shaping the future of global digital infrastructure.
- New markets for computational resources
- New mechanisms for value creation
- New possibilities for human achievement
The partnership is designed to leverage the unique strengths of both organisations. 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.
He says: “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.”
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.”
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