South Korea is gearing up to host the largest AI data centre in the world by capacity, a groundbreaking move that underscores the country’s commitment to global technological leadership.
The ambitious project is spearheaded by Fir Hills, a division of California-based Stock Farm Road, Inc. (SFR), and is expected to break ground in winter 2025. The centre is projected to generate an initial annual revenue of $3.5 billion, further solidifying South Korea’s position in the global AI industry.
The facility will be located in Jeollanam-do Province and is the result of a strategic partnership between innovative leaders. SFR was co-founded by LG heir Brian Koo and Dr Amin Badr-El-Din, a veteran in technology, energy, and global public-private partnerships.
“This is more than just a technological milestone; it’s a strategic leap forward for Korea’s global technological leadership,” said Dr Badr-El-Din.
The $10 billion initial investment could potentially expand to $35 billion, making this a transformative project for both South Korea and the AI industry. Upon completion in 2028, the centre will feature an impressive 3-gigawatt capacity, cementing its status as the world’s largest AI data facility.
A Strategic Collaboration
This state-of-the-art facility is built to support the demands of next-generation AI, featuring advanced cooling systems, cutting-edge fibre bandwidth, and the ability to manage massive energy load variations. This level of infrastructure is expected to drive AI innovation while boosting South Korea’s economic growth.
Projections indicate that the global data centre services market will reach $438.3 billion by 2030, positioning South Korea’s 3GW data centre as a major player in the industry.
“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,” commented Koo.
Economic Growth & Job Creation
The project is expected to generate over 10,000 jobs across various sectors, including energy supply, storage solutions, renewable energy, manufacturing, and research & development (R&D). Additionally, the data centre will serve millions of users, catering to the needs of large corporations, hyperscalers, and AI developers.
The Jeollanam-do AI data centre is just the beginning for SFR, which has plans to expand AI infrastructure partnerships across Asia, Europe, and the US over the next 18 months.
A Vision For AI Powered Infrastructure
SFR’s expertise in Energy-to-Intelligence (e2i²) is at the heart of this initiative, integrating traditional energy systems with AI innovation. With access to substantial financial resources and a robust network spanning both Asian and Western markets, SFR is well-positioned to lead the next wave of intelligent infrastructure development.
Over the past decade, South Korea has cemented itself as a global technology powerhouse, with industry giants like Samsung, LG, and Hyundai leading in their respective fields. Now, with the launch of the world’s most advanced AI data centre, the country is further solidifying its dominance in AI and digital infrastructure.
The Jeollanam-do AI data centre exemplifies how strategic public-private partnerships can drive large-scale innovation. By laying the foundation for this massive project, South Korea is taking a significant step towards a true digital industrial revolution.
