Inside SK Telecom & Schneider’s Expanded AI Data Centre Deal
SK Telecom deepens its partnership with Schneider Electric to advance the development of AI data centres, with the flagship project centred on a new hyperscale facility in Ulsan.
The collaboration brings together SK Telecom’s expertise in AI-driven operations and Schneider’s capabilities in mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems.
The agreement reflects the growing role of AI in reshaping how data centres are designed and operated, particularly in the telecommunications sector where high resilience and efficiency are essential.
Building on MWC25 announcement
The partnership was first unveiled at Mobile World Congress 2025 in March and has now reached a milestone with SK Telecom signing an integrated procurement agreement.
Schneider Electric will supply MEP equipment across five critical categories, including switchgear, Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems, transformers and automated control technologies.
As a global leader in data centre energy and power systems, Schneider brings expertise spanning design, implementation and operational management.
The deal ensures SK Telecom’s new AI data centre will be equipped with advanced infrastructure tailored to the demands of AI-heavy workloads.
Extending collaboration across SK Group
The relationship between the two companies was strengthened further through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This expands cooperation beyond SK Telecom to other affiliates of SK Group, opening opportunities for innovation across multiple industries.
Key focus areas include developing next-generation MEP systems and advanced battery technologies designed to support energy-intensive AI operations while reducing environmental impact.
“Through this collaboration, we expect to create powerful synergies by combining SK Telecom’s expertise in AIDC operations with our advanced capabilities,” says Pankaj Sharma, Executive Vice President at Schneider Electric in March.
“Our partnership with Schneider Electric, one of the world's leading [AI data centre] solution providers, will not only strengthen SK Telecom’s competitiveness in [AI data centres] but also accelerate our global expansion,” adds James (Young-sang) Ryu, President and CEO of SK Telecom, at MWC25.
Harnessing digital twin technology
A core component of the agreement is the integration of Schneider’s Electrical Transient Analyzer Program (ETAP) with SK Telecom’s unified AI Data Centre Infrastructure Management (DCIM) platform.
ETAP acts as a digital twin for power systems, providing detailed simulations that help optimise performance from the design phase through to live operations.
The platform allows SK Telecom to test scenarios, predict outcomes and make proactive adjustments, reducing risks and ensuring the resilience of critical systems.
A spokesperson for the project says: “The integration of ETAP with SK Telecom’s AI DCIM creates a digital twin-based approach that will redefine operational optimisation in data centre environments.”
Optimising efficiency in AI data centres
The AI DCIM system is designed to monitor infrastructure in real time, giving operators greater visibility of power use and equipment performance.
By enabling predictive modelling and adaptive management, the platform will support sustainability goals while meeting the growing energy demands of AI.
For data centre operators across the industry, the project offers a model for balancing high-density AI workloads with the need to reduce environmental impact. Schneider’s MEP solutions, combined with SK Telecom’s operational expertise, provide a framework for more resilient and efficient facilities.
Setting a benchmark for telecom-led AI data centres
The expansion of this partnership marks a strategic shift for the data centre and telecommunications industries as they adapt to the requirements of AI-driven connectivity.
The Ulsan AI data centre is being developed to accommodate higher density, improved resilience and advanced energy optimisation, all critical for next-generation digital services.
By combining Schneider’s global experience in power and automation with SK Telecom’s ambitions in AI, the collaboration is shaping what future-ready AI data centres will look like.
The agreements on procurement, digital twin integration and cross-sector development set the Ulsan project apart as a potential benchmark for telecom-led infrastructure growth.
