Gangwon Province's AI data center projects, including one in Gangneung that had stalled over power supply issues, are set to move forward again.
Korea Electric Power Corporation and Gangwon Province signed an MOU on Wednesday at a small conference room in the provincial government building to ensure the successful development of AI data centers.
Korea Electric Power presented a report titled "AI Data Center Power Supply Conditions and the Status of Gangwon's Power Grid," saying it plans to preemptively expand the power grid to promote balanced regional development and implement the principle of producing and consuming power locally.
The signing ceremony was attended by Gangwon Province Gov. Woo Sang-ho, Korea Electric Power President Kim Dong-cheol, Transmission and Substation Construction Group Director General Kim Ho-gon, Gangwon Regional Headquarters Chief Lee Cheol-hyu and Grid Policy Planning Office Head Lee Seong-hak, among others.
The agreement follows the government's policy of strengthening the AI industry's competitiveness and pursuing balanced regional development. It aims to solidify cooperation for successfully attracting AI data centers to Gangwon Province and building the national power grid.
The Donghae AI data center project, driven by GS Group, faces no issues with power supply, but the Gangneung project led by SK Group has yet to even settle on an exact site due to power supply problems. AI data centers are also planned for Chuncheon and Wonju going forward.
Under the agreement, Gangwon Province and Korea Electric Power will cooperate on three fronts. First, they will expand power infrastructure for AI data centers. Second, they will build a cooperative framework — covering permitting, consultations with relevant agencies and efforts to improve public acceptance — for constructing the national power grid needed for stable power supply, including for AI data centers. Third, they will form and operate a working-level council.
Because AI data centers require the processing of vast amounts of data at high speed, they consume enormous amounts of electricity, making a stable power grid essential to the success of such projects.
Through the agreement, Gangwon Province plans to preemptively resolve power supply issues — the biggest obstacle to attracting data centers — and fully support Korea Electric Power's infrastructure buildout.
In addition, the province has gained an advantageous position in securing the large-scale power grid that is the most critical prerequisite for AI data centers. Backed by this solid cooperative framework with Korea Electric Power, it plans to step up efforts to attract AI data centers.
"A fast, robust power grid is essential to attracting AI data centers, and this can only be achieved when Gangwon Province's strong administrative capacity combines with Korea Electric Power's technological expertise," Woo said. "We will mobilize every administrative resource — from permitting to communication with residents — to ensure power infrastructure is expanded in a timely manner, and on that basis, we will make Gangwon Province the best AI industry hub in South Korea."
abc@heraldcorp.com
