South Korean energy company SGC Energy has announced plans to construct a 300MW data center in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province. This project marks the company’s debut in the AI data center industry and represents a noteworthy development in South Korea’s growing demand for infrastructure supporting AI-powered services.
The planned facility will be located within the Gunsan National Industrial Complex 2, the larger of two industrial zones in the coastal city of Gunsan. This area is already home to various industries, including shipbuilding, power generation, and battery production, making it an ideal site for the new data center. SGC Energy's affiliate, SGC Green Power, which owns the approximately 100,000-square-foot land designated for the project, will play a key role in the initiative.
The data center’s development will occur in phases, with the first phase comprising a 40MW modular data center. Construction is expected to commence later this year, and SGC Energy projects that operations will begin in the first quarter of 2028.
In addition to SGC Energy, prominent South Korean firms KT and Mirae Asset Securities will be involved in the project. KT, a major telecommunications company and an emerging player in data center operations, and Mirae Asset Securities, a leading investment bank and brokerage firm, bring significant expertise to the collaboration.
The announcement comes amidst increasing efforts by South Korea’s major conglomerates to meet the rising demand for AI services. Companies such as Samsung, Eugene Group, and Hyundai are also actively pursuing data center projects. While most of South Korea’s data centers are concentrated in Seoul, this new facility in Gunsan highlights a shift towards expanding the nation’s data infrastructure to other regions.
SGC Energy’s initiative underlines the growing importance of AI technologies in South Korea’s industrial and technological landscape, paving the way for enhanced capabilities and services in the future.
