SK Group to Build 15GW AI Data Center Infrastructure by 2030

SK Group has announced a large-scale investment plan to expand data center infrastructure, the core foundation of the artificial intelligence (AI) industry. According to foreign media reports, SK Group, led by SK Telecom, plans to build a total of 15GW of AI data center infrastructure by 2030. This is interpreted as a strategic move to respond to the rapidly increasing global demand for AI and to strengthen market competitiveness by consolidating the group’s AI capabilities.

This project will be led by SK Telecom in cooperation with other affiliates within the group. The 15GW figure is an aggressive target considering the power and infrastructure scale required for high-performance AI computing in the current global market. Through this, SK Group aims to leap forward as a global player that provides integrated solutions combining AI services and infrastructure, beyond simple data center operations.

Data centers are essential facilities for AI model training and inference, and recently, power consumption and efficient cooling technology have emerged as key competitive factors worldwide. It is expected that SK Group will introduce eco-friendly data center technologies that maximize energy efficiency during this infrastructure construction process. In particular, synergy is expected between the communication network technology and AI software capabilities possessed by SK Telecom to improve data center operational efficiency.

This large-scale infrastructure construction is evaluated as part of the ‘AI Pyramid’ strategy currently being pursued by SK Group. SK is reorganizing its business structure around three major areas: AI infrastructure, AI transformation (AIX), and AI services. Securing 15GW of data center capacity is a core pillar of the AI infrastructure area and is expected to serve as a stable foundation for the various AI services the group will provide in the future.

Expanding influence in the global market is also a notable aspect. Currently, major countries such as the U.S. and those in Europe are providing national-level support to secure AI data centers. By proactively building large-scale infrastructure, SK Group is expected to strengthen partnerships with global big tech companies and establish a bridgehead for overseas market expansion.

Industry experts believe this announcement will serve as an opportunity for South Korea’s AI technology to combine with hardware infrastructure to lead global standards. In particular, the eco-friendly operating model that SK Group will demonstrate in the energy-intensive data center industry is highly likely to become a new benchmark for the global data center market.

In conclusion, SK Group’s 15GW data center construction plan is a strategic choice for South Korea to occupy a key position in the global AI value chain, going beyond simple facility investment. Amid the deepening global shortage of AI infrastructure, this move by SK is expected to be an important milestone in building a new digital ecosystem that combines global K-content with AI technology.