Nation / PlaceKR

Ulsan

Industrial city on South Korea's south-east coast.

As at 22 October 2026, Ulsan is South Korea's south-eastern industrial hub and the base for a planned gigawatt-scale AI data-centre buildout.

Last refreshed: 22 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Timeline for Ulsan

#17 21 Oct

Hosted a gigawatt-scale AI campus starting construction

Data Centres: Boom and Backlash: Seoul drafts AI data-centre grid code

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Background

Ulsan is a metropolitan city and major industrial centre on South Korea's south-east coast. SK Telecom and Amazon Web Services have selected it for an AI data-centre project planned to expand in stages towards gigawatt scale.

South Korea's proposed AI data-centre grid code would require covered sites to remain online through power faults and help keep grid voltage stable. Construction on Ulsan's project had begun before the proposal emerged. The final scope will decide whether its electrical design needs extra equipment or changes.

Common Questions

Where is Ulsan?

Ulsan is a metropolitan city on South Korea's south-east coast and a major industrial centre.Source: https://ulsan.go.kr/u/english/main.ulsan

What AI data-centre project is being built in Ulsan?

SK Telecom and Amazon Web Services launched an AI data-centre project in Ulsan, with plans for later expansion towards gigawatt scale.Source: https://www.ulsan.go.kr/u/rep/bbs/view.do?bbsId=BBS_0000000000000027&dataId=172896&mId=001004003001000000

How large could Ulsan's AI data-centre buildout become?

SK Telecom says Ulsan is the starting point for a staged expansion towards gigawatt-scale capacity.Source: https://news.sktelecom.com/en/3155

Why could South Korea's grid code affect Ulsan?

Ulsan's project is already under way, while the proposed code could require extra electrical equipment or design changes.Source: https://www.newspim.com/news/view/20261021000293

Source Material

Controversy over new AI data-centre grid regulation SK Telecom pursues 15 GW AI data-centre buildout Ulsan begins its push to become an Asia-Pacific AI data-centre hub Ulsan Metropolitan City

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Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 22 October 2026. Editorial standards.