Third Round of National AI Computing Center Applications Closes
Solaseado in Haenam Emerges as Leading Candidate, Accelerating Energy City Development
Gwangju City Faces Setback, Holds Emergency Meeting to Discuss Response
The third round of applications for the National AI Computing Center project closed on October 21, with the Samsung SDS consortium reportedly selecting Jeonnam as its candidate site and submitting a sole application.
With Jeonnam already hosting a data center promoted by global AI company OpenAI and SK, the region is now considered a strong contender for the National AI Computing Center as well, further accelerating the development of its energy industry.
In contrast, Gwangju City, which had staked its hopes on attracting the National AI Computing Center, is unable to hide its disappointment.
According to Jeonnam Province on October 21, the application period for the Ministry of Science and ICT's National AI Computing Center project ended that day, and only the Samsung SDS consortium submitted an application.
Neither the Ministry of Science and ICT nor the Samsung SDS consortium has officially announced the specific location for the National AI Computing Center yet. However, Solaseado in Haenam is widely believed to be the leading candidate site.
In fact, a Jeonnam Province official stated around 5:40 p.m. that they had received a call from Samsung SDS, informing them that Jeonnam had been selected as a consortium partner for the National AI Computing Center application.
The National AI Computing Center is an essential facility for developing AI models and providing services for national agencies and companies. The project aims to complete an AI infrastructure with 15,000 advanced graphics processing units (GPUs) by 2028 and a total of 50,000 GPUs by 2030.
Previously, Jeonnam attracted a dedicated AI data center by global AI group OpenAI and SK.
Solaseado in Haenam, which has successfully attracted consecutive data centers, currently has a 98MW solar power facility, making it well-suited for operating AI data centers.
Jeonnam Province plans to accelerate the construction of an energy-focused new city, taking follow-up measures in preparation for the confirmation of the data center project.
Gwangju City, having failed to attract the National AI Computing Center, is now on high alert.
At 8 p.m. that day, a future industry emergency meeting will be held in the main conference room of City Hall, attended by representatives from the local assembly, religious groups, universities, civic organizations, and other sectors of Gwangju society.
Participants are expected to discuss the impact of failing to attract the AI Computing Center on the overall industry in Gwangju.
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