Kakao, the South Korean internet giant, has successfully concluded the construction of its first in-house data center, the Kakao Data Center Ansan. Officially announced on September 26th, this state-of-the-art facility is strategically located on the Hanyang University ERICA campus, approximately 30 kilometers to the south of Seoul.
With a footprint of 47,378 square meters, the Kakao Data Center Ansan qualifies as a hyperscale data center, capable of accommodating over 10,000 servers, and has the capacity to house an impressive 120,000 servers.
Kakao’s roadmap includes initiating full-scale operations in the first quarter of 2023, following the successful completion of installation and system stability testing. The data center has also been designed with sustainability in mind, featuring renewable energy infrastructure, highly efficient energy facilities, and a suite of energy-saving technologies.
Kakao has expressed its commitment to future collaborations with Hanyang University and Ansan City, fostering industry-university partnerships and contributing to local economic rejuvenation.
Kakao has also revealed ambitious expansion plans, which encompass not only the continued growth of its data center but also the maintenance and expansion of its existing leased center, ensuring its readiness to address any potential contingencies.
Last year, Kakao faced a significant setback when its data center in Pangyo, a suburb of Seoul, was engulfed in a fire. However, the company’s action where it successfully established its own fully functional data center marks a resilient recovery from the unfortunate incident.