Construction schedule and infrastructure
Samsung SDS has begun construction of a dedicated data center specialized for operating high-power, high-heat artificial intelligence (AI) graphics processing units (GPUs). A groundbreaking ceremony for the Samsung SDS Gumi AI Data Center, featuring 60 MW power infrastructure, was held on November 2 at the former Samsung Electronics Gumi Plant 1 site in Gumi National Industrial Complex 1, North Gyeongsang Province.
The AI data center will occupy a site of approximately 47,000 square meters, with completion targeted for December 2028 and operation for March 2029. Based on an investment memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by Samsung SDS, North Gyeongsang Province and Gumi at CES 2026 in Las Vegas in January 2026, the project has entered construction after completing permitting procedures and consultations on arrangements for a large-scale electricity supply.
Samsung SDS will focus on installing high-density power-receiving systems and high-efficiency cooling equipment to support rapidly growing demand for generative AI and high-performance cloud services. Its strategy is to maximize operational stability by applying hardware engineering designs that control the heat and electrical loads produced by large GPU clusters.
Regional industry and employment
Once the center is established, Samsung SDS's design, construction and operating capabilities are expected to combine with Gumi's electronics and semiconductor manufacturing capabilities to promote AI transformation (AX) at local manufacturing facilities and attract related technology companies.
Industrial linkages arising from construction and operations are also expected to become evident. During construction, opportunities for local construction companies and materials and equipment suppliers will expand. After completion, operations will create jobs in IT operations, heating, ventilation and air conditioning and electrical facilities management, security, and cleaning. Cooperation with local universities to train AI and cloud specialists will also proceed in parallel.
North Gyeongsang Province and Gumi plan to attract additional investment in industries supplying data centers, including AI semiconductors, power conversion and cooling and air-conditioning equipment, and cloud services, drawing on the region's high electricity self-sufficiency, generation infrastructure, and the concentration of telecommunications and manufacturing facilities in Gumi's industrial complex.
Groundbreaking ceremony
About 150 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony, including Samsung SDS CEO Lee Jun-hee, North Gyeongsang Governor Lee Cheol-woo, Gumi Mayor Kim Jang-ho, local members of the National Assembly and local councils, and representatives of related organizations and the construction project.
North Gyeongsang Governor Lee Cheol-woo said, “Today's groundbreaking is more than the construction of a single building. It marks the start of a change in North Gyeongsang's industrial structure for the AI era. We will link Gumi's advanced manufacturing base with AI infrastructure to promote the AI transformation of regional industries. Together with Gumi, we will work to establish a regional AI industry ecosystem by encouraging local company participation, training specialists, and expanding follow-on investment by AI-related companies.”
A Samsung SDS representative said, “The Gumi AI Data Center will feature optimized power supply and precision cooling infrastructure to support the stable operation of high-power, high-heat AI GPUs. We will concentrate Samsung SDS's capabilities across data center design, construction and operations to accelerate AI transformation at Gumi's electronics and semiconductor manufacturing facilities and fully meet rapidly growing demand for generative AI and cloud infrastructure.”
Original Korean article: mtnews.net
English brief by Korea Wind Intelligence, koreawindintel.com
