Plans for what is being termed as the world’s largest AI data center in Jeollanam-do continue to take shape into 2026, following the project’s initial announcement in early 2025. Backed by a consortium led by Brian Koo and infrastructure venture Fir Hills, the project is designed to scale up to 3 gigawatts (GW) of computing capacity. This places it well beyond the scale of current hyperscale facilities in the world. While the project remains in the pre-construction and structuring phase as of 2026, it continues to be regarded as a cornerstone of South Korea’s ambition to become a global AI infrastructure hub.

This is also supported by parallel initiatives to expand GPU supply chains across the country and other regional investments aimed at enabling data center development in the region such as Air Liquide’s new semiconductor gas facilities in Japan.

Project Scope for the World’s Biggest AI Data Center in South Korea

Key Features

Planned Capacity: Up to 3 GW

Investment Value: Up to $35 billion

Initial Phase Investment: $10 billion

Location: Jeollanam-do Province

Completion Target: 2028

Technical Specs

Advanced cooling systems, likely liquid or immersion

High-capacity fiber connectivity

Ability to handle extreme load variability typical of AI workloads

Development Timeline

Announcement and MoU: February 2025

Planned Construction Start: 2025 (initial target)

Current Status as of 2026: Structuring and partnerships

Target Completion: 2028

As of 2026, the project has not yet reached full-scale construction. It however remains active within national AI infrastructure planning.

Who is Backing Development for the World’s Biggest AI Data Center in South Korea?

Lead Developer: Fir Hills Inc.

Key Sponsors: Brian Koo  and Amin Badr-El-Din

Government Partner: Jeollanam-do Provincial Government

Expected Supply Chain Support:

• Samsung Electronics
• SK Group
• NVIDIA

World’s Biggest AI Data Center to be Constructed in South Korea

Reported February 20, 2025 – The world’s biggest AI data center will be constructed in Jeollanam-do Province, South Korea. This information was confirmed, following the Wall Street Journal’s report on the data center project. Work on the project will be complete by 2028, creating the largest data center in the world with a capacity of 3GW. This will also surpass anything that Google, Meta or any other tech giant has done so far.

The province is also expected to make an announcement regarding the data center project next week. This is as per the information by an official from the South Jeolla provincial government. Additionally, an investment firm of this planned data center project, founded by Brian Koo, who is the grandson of the founder of LG, also issued a statement on the same.

Also read: Data center construction boom 

Project Factsheet

Location: The data center will be located in the Jeollanam-do Province.

Investment: The project is estimated to cost around $35 billion.

Power Capacity: It will have a 3-gigawatt power capacity. This is also three times the capacity of the ongoing Stargate project in the United States.

Construction Timeline: Construction is set to begin in late 2025 and is expected to be completed by 2028.

Initial Revenue: The data center is projected to generate an initial annual revenue of $3.5 billion.

Job Creation: The project is expected to create over 10,000 jobs across various sectors.

Technological Features: The data center will feature advanced cooling systems, enhanced fiber bandwidth for both regional and global connectivity. It will also have the capability to handle substantial and sudden energy fluctuations.

Economic Impact: Beyond promoting AI innovation, this development also promises significant economic benefits for South Korea. It also positions the country prominently in the rapidly expanding data center services market.

Cost of the World’s Biggest AI Data Center

According to reports, this upcoming data center project will cost as much as $35 billion. In terms of capacity, the data center will feature up to 3 gigawatts of power, which is also three times that of the currently ongoing Stargate Project in the United States.

Also read: Neom and DataVolt to build 1.5GW AI data center in Oxagon for $5 billion

Key Timelines of the Project

Lastly, Stock Farm Road, a new venture capital firm led by Koo and Amin Badr-El-Din, mentioned in the statement that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the province to initiate the construction this year (2025) and complete it by the year 2028.

“Originally, the project size is estimated more than $10 billion with the potential to reach $35 billion,” the statement said. “Construction of the world’s biggest AI data center by capacity, with an estimated initial annual revenue of $3.5 billion is set to go ahead in 2025 in Korea.

Also read: Controversial DC01UK £3.75bn data center in Hertfordshire to become Europe’s largest after approval