SK Broadband (SKB) revealed on Monday that it plans to construct a startup cluster and an eco-friendly data center hub in the Saemangeum area in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province. Along with SK Group‘s energy affiliate SK E&S, the company aims to develop the area into Northeast Asia’s hyperscale data center powered by renewable energy.
SK Broadband said that it would provide the safest and most effective green, low-carbon, and eco-friendly data center in Asia, using 50MW solar energy. SKB plans to use 100 percent renewable energy for the center’s electric consumption in the future. However, the hyperscale hub would initially start with 30 percent upon its commencement.
Meanwhile, for its part, SK E&S suggested energy-saving innovations allowing customers to reduce data center operations power costs. Through the cost-cutting systems, SKB expects power costs to decrease by 30 percent compared to Hongkong and 50 percent lower than Tokyo.
World-Class Hub
SK Broadband and SK E&S aim to finish four data center buildings by 2024 and another 12 buildings by 2029. The project would cost around 2 trillion won ($1.75 billion). Additionally, SK would construct a 200 billion won ($175 million) venture cluster in Saemangeum, tentatively named SK Town, by 2025.
The cluster would consist of a library complex, parks, restaurants, and other public spaces expected to help vitalize the local economy.
Additionally, SKB plans to establish an auxiliary submarine cable to secure the connection between countries. The connection would span ten various locations in seven countries in Asia, establishing a worldwide network by December 2021.
Through this connection, Saemangeum would demonstrate its network diversity while delivering the finest services to various local and global businesses.
The consortium would also construct a 33,000-square meter startup cluster that would house around 300 startup companies.
Choi Jin-hwan, an SKB CEO, stated that SK’s data center model would enable customers to reduce carbon emissions while using high-quality networks. Saemangeum could develop into one of the best sites for cloud operators in building next-generation data centers.
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