Samsung SDS breaks ground on 60 MW AI data center in Gumi, South Korea
In brief
- Samsung SDS broke ground on a 60 MW AI data center in Gumi on November 2, 2026.
- Project cost totals KRW 427.3 billion, about $319 million, according to Crypto Briefing.
- Power capacity starts at 60 MW, expandable to 120 MW.
- Completion is expected by December 2028, with operations targeted for March 2029.
- First concrete project under Samsung Group's KRW 60 trillion regional investment plan.
What Samsung SDS is building
The facility sits in Gongdan-dong, Gumi, in North Gyeongsang Province and covers approximately 46,280 square meters. Initial power capacity is set at 60 MW. There's room to expand that to 120 MW, according to Crypto Briefing's report on the company's plans.
The design targets high-density GPU servers, and the center will use a hybrid cooling system that pairs air cooling with liquid cooling. Samsung SDS plans two service models: in-house GPU services (essentially renting out AI computing power) and colocation. The customer base isn't limited to the group, either, since the center is set to serve Samsung affiliates as well as outside clients.
Samsung SDS CEO Lee Jun-hee has stressed that strong infrastructure is a prerequisite for getting meaningful results from AI, as Crypto Briefing reported.
A timeline that runs into 2029
The approvals came in stages. Samsung SDS's board approved the investment in January 2026, and the company signed a memorandum of understanding with Gumi City and North Gyeongsang Province during CES 2026. Gumi City then granted construction approvals in late August 2026.
Completion is expected by December 2028.
Operations aren't targeted until March 2029.
First project under a KRW 60 trillion plan
Crypto Briefing described the Gumi site as the first concrete project under Samsung Group's KRW 60 trillion regional investment plan. Samsung Group unveiled that plan in July 2026, and Crypto Briefing put its value at approximately $44.6 billion to $44.9 billion (dollar figures are conversions, so they're approximate). The plan's stated goal, per Samsung, is to turn the Yeongnam region into a global hub for AI innovation.
Frequently asked questions
How much power will the Samsung SDS Gumi data center have?
Initial power capacity is set at 60 MW, with room to expand to 120 MW, according to Crypto Briefing. The design targets high-density GPU servers and uses a hybrid system that pairs air cooling with liquid cooling.
When will the Gumi AI data center start operating?
Completion is expected by December 2028, with operations targeted for March 2029. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on November 2, 2026, after Gumi City granted construction approvals in late August 2026.
Who will use the Samsung SDS Gumi data center?
The facility is set to serve Samsung affiliates as well as outside clients. Samsung SDS plans two service models: in-house GPU services, which essentially rent out AI computing power, and colocation.
