Daewoo Engineering & Construction is strengthening its push into the rapidly growing data center market driven by the spread of generative artificial intelligence. The company is also pursuing a transformation into a "developer" role encompassing development, investment, and operations beyond simple construction.
Daewoo E&C announced on the 13th that it has established a "Data Center TFT (Task Force Team)" to strengthen its data center business capabilities. The strategy aims to make data centers, which are rapidly expanding due to increased demand for AI and cloud services, a new growth engine for the future.
The TFT focuses on cultivating specialized personnel covering data center design, construction, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) fields, while systematically building technical capabilities. Through this initiative, Daewoo E&C plans to develop concrete market entry strategies for domestic and international data center construction markets and proactively manage risks that may arise throughout the business process. The company will also pursue partnerships with related businesses and specialized firms.
What stands out is the expansion of business scope. Daewoo E&C has set a goal to become a "developer" participating in the entire cycle from site acquisition, permitting, design, and construction to operations and management. This means transitioning from a traditional construction company role to a comprehensive business operator that includes investment and development.
Actual projects are also gaining momentum. Daewoo E&C completed the 40-megawatt "Gangnam Data Center (Empirion Digital AI Campus)" in June last year and is currently participating as both investor and contractor in the up to 60MW "Jangseong Pine Data Center" project in Jangseong, South Jeolla Province. Overseas, the company is also exploring entry into Southeast Asian markets including Vietnam.
Large-scale projects are also underway. In January, Daewoo E&C signed a business agreement with Jangseong County, Gangjin County, and private institutions for AI data center construction. The project involves building data centers with capacities of 200MW and 300MW in Jangseong and Gangjin, South Jeolla Province, respectively, with permitting procedures underway targeting groundbreaking next year. Daewoo E&C will serve as a core partner in this project, participating not only in design, procurement, and construction but also in investment and development.
"Data centers are core infrastructure in the AI era and a field directly linked to national competitiveness," a Daewoo E&C official said. "Based on the TFT, we will strengthen competitiveness across the entire development business beyond construction capabilities and actively pioneer overseas markets."