LG Uplus to Shorten Construction Period with Prefabricated AI Data Centers... PMDC Alliance Launched

MOU Signed with GS Engineering & Construction, Xi C&A, Gansam Architects, and D&O CM

100MW-Class Modular Data Center Model Cuts Construction Time

Standardization and Modularization Reduce Build Time and Enhance Quality Consistency

LG Uplus, together with GS Engineering & Construction and Xi C&A, has embarked on securing a standard model for Prefabricated Modular Data Centers (PMDC). Through this effort, the company aims to shorten the construction period for Artificial Intelligence Data Centers (AIDC), respond swiftly to the rapidly growing demand for infrastructure, and establish a collaborative system for standardizing quality.

LG Uplus announced on September 6 that it signed a "PMDC Alliance Establishment Memorandum of Understanding" with GS Engineering & Construction, Xi C&A, Gansam Architects, and D&O CM at Pyeongchon Mega Center in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province on September 4. The signing ceremony was attended by Beomsik Hong, CEO of LG Uplus; Yoonhong Heo, CEO of GS Engineering & Construction; Kim Wooksu, CEO of Xi C&A; Muchan Park, General Director of Gansam Architects; and Youngho Lee, CEO of D&O CM, along with other executives from the respective companies.

On the 4th at Pyeongchon Mega Center, Kim Wooksoo, CEO of Xi C&A; Yoon Hong Huh, CEO of GS Construction; Beomsik Hong, CEO of LG Uplus; Youngho Lee, CEO of D&O CM; and Muchan Park, General Manager of Gansam Architects, are taking a commemorative photo at the 'PMDC Alliance Establishment Business Agreement Ceremony.' (From left) LG Uplus

With the recent acceleration of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, demand for data centers has surged, and as a result, PMDCs are gaining attention as a next-generation data center construction model, according to LG Uplus. The PMDC approach standardizes structural buildings, power supply, and cooling systems for prefabrication in factories, followed by on-site assembly. This method shortens the overall construction time, enhances consistency in quality, and allows for flexible expansion of infrastructure to meet changing demand.

Since April, PMDC alliance participants, including LG Uplus, have combined their expertise to jointly develop a standard PMDC model for practical application in AIDC businesses. The participating companies focused on both new build models—centered around a 100-megawatt (MW) hyperscale PMDC—as well as retrofit models, which involve converting existing buildings into data centers optimized for AI infrastructure. Design and technical specifications were tailored to suit the domestic data center environment.

Through this agreement, the alliance members have formalized their collaborative framework and committed to developing a competitive PMDC model. Leveraging its experience in establishing and operating nationwide data centers and the Paju AIDC, LG Uplus will be responsible for defining operational standards and technical requirements for PMDCs, setting business strategies, and verifying models.

GS Engineering & Construction will draw on its experience in large-scale data center construction and on-site project management to review constructability, optimize procedures, and deliver EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) capabilities for the new build PMDC model. Xi C&A will be in charge of developing the retrofit model for application in existing buildings and optimizing power and cooling systems. Gansam Architects will be responsible for establishing the standard design model for PMDCs, while D&O CM will contribute its expertise in project management and construction management (CM).

LG Uplus emphasized that the PMDC alliance is significant in that it involves companies covering the entire lifecycle of data center design, construction, and operation. LG Uplus plans to proactively utilize the PMDC model for AIDC construction, further reinforcing the group-level competitiveness in AIDC business.

Beomsik Hong, CEO of LG Uplus, stated, "In the era of AI, the core competitiveness of data centers lies in the ability to rapidly build necessary infrastructure in response to changing customer needs. This PMDC alliance brings together professional companies in AIDC design, construction, and operation, with the objective of practical business application. We are committed to creating a globally competitive PMDC model and continuously strengthening our capabilities in building next-generation AIDCs."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.