Ulsan, South Korea, September 1, 2025
News Summary
SK Telecom has signed a comprehensive procurement agreement with Schneider Electric to supply MEP equipment—including switchgear, UPS, transformers and automated control systems—for its Ulsan AI data center. Schneider Electric will integrate ETAP digital-twin software with SK Telecom’s AI DCIM platform to enable real-time monitoring, predictive operations and energy optimisation. The partnership also covers prefabricated MEP modules to shorten construction timelines and an MoU to pursue joint UPS and ESS development across SK Group affiliates. The Ulsan facility will expand SK Telecom’s AIDC capacity and support plans to scale energy-as-a-service offerings and standardized infrastructure across projects.
SK Telecom Signs Integrated MEP Procurement and Digital-Twin Deal with Schneider Electric for SK AIDC in Ulsan
The telecommunications company has moved to advance its data center build-out by signing a comprehensive integrated procurement agreement with Schneider Electric for MEP equipment and solutions to support the establishment of the SK AIDC in Ulsan. In addition, the deal includes integrating Schneider Electric’s ETAP digital-twin software into SK Telecom’s unified AI DCIM system to enable more precise, real-time operation of power and infrastructure resources.
The agreement covers equipment across five MEP categories, with concrete parts including switchgear, Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), transformers, and automated control systems. The fifth category is not specified in public details, but the package is designed to cover end-to-end power, cooling and control needs for the Ulsan facility. The collaboration aims to streamline procurement, design, construction and ongoing operation of the data center campus.
Under the plan, Schneider Electric will supply critical MEP gear for the SK AIDC in Ulsan, while SK Telecom will embed Schneider Electric’s ETAP digital twin software into its AI DCIM platform. ETAP is described as a leading digital twin tool for power systems that supports stages from design to analysis and operation. The integration is expected to empower digital twin–based operational optimization, enabling SK Telecom to monitor and manage power consumption and infrastructure utilization in real time.
The AI DCIM platform provides software and tools to watch power use and equipment load in a data center, and the ETAP–AI DCIM integration is intended to maximize efficiency and broaden the capabilities of SK Telecom’s AI-driven data center management. The two companies have formed a working group since the March announcement at a major industry event, and this group is actively pursuing multiple collaborative efforts to advance their shared targets.
Key areas of collaboration include integrating and commercializing SKT’s AI DCIM with Schneider Electric’s automated control systems, developing MEP reference designs, and delivering prefabricated and integrated solutions to shorten construction timelines. The partners also plan to expand their joint Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) initiatives and to coordinate sales efforts to accelerate market adoption.
Beyond the deal, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to broaden collaboration across the SK Group. This broader collaboration aims to co-develop Schneider Electric’s UPS and Energy Storage System (ESS) technologies with SK On’s lithium-ion battery capabilities, and to coordinate procurement across SK Group affiliates in order to maximize synergies. A dedicated executive leadership group has signaled that the collaboration seeks to unlock a wider set of opportunities across the group’s network.
The plan aligns with a broader strategy to grow an AI infrastructure hub in the Asia Pacific region. The Ulsan AIDC is positioned to begin operations in 2027 and, when added to the Guro DC in Seoul, will push SK Telecom’s total data center capacity past 300 megawatts. The investment and development targets include ambitious revenue goals for the AIDC business by 2030, signaling a long-term push toward scale, efficiency and regional AI readiness.
In related context, SK Telecom has highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen information protection and cybersecurity as part of its broader digital strategy. While these security-focused programs are separate from the data center deal, they underscore the company’s aim to build a robust and trustworthy digital infrastructure for enterprise and consumer services alike.
Key elements at a glance
- Parties involved: SK Telecom and Schneider Electric, with cross-party engagement across SK Group via a MoU.
- Scope: Integrated MEP procurement and digital-twin integration into AI DCIM for the SK AIDC in Ulsan.
- MEP categories: Five categories, including switchgear, UPS, transformers, and automated control systems.
- Digital twin integration: ETAP software integrated into AI DCIM for real-time optimization.
- Collaboration outcomes: MEP reference designs, prefabricated solutions, and expanded EaaS offerings; joint procurement across SK Group.
- Timeline: Ulsan AIDC operations expected to begin in 2027; combined capacity to exceed 300 MW with Seoul’s Guro DC.
- Strategic goal: Support gigawatt-scale expansion of SK AIDC and strengthen regional AI infrastructure leadership.
FAQ
- What is the core purpose of the SK Telecom–Schneider Electric agreement?
- The agreement provides integrated MEP equipment supply and the digital-twin integration of ETAP into the AI DCIM system to optimize data center operations for the SK AIDC in Ulsan.
- What is ETAP used for in this context?
- ETAP is a digital twin software for power systems that supports design, analysis and operation, enabling real-time optimization when paired with AI DCIM.
- What does AI DCIM refer to?
- AI DCIM is SK Telecom’s unified data center infrastructure management platform that applies artificial intelligence to monitor and manage power and infrastructure use in real time.
- What are the key MEP categories involved?
- Categories include switchgear, UPS, transformers and automated control systems, with a fifth category also covered under the agreement.
- What is the MoU’s purpose within the SK Group?
- The MoU broadens collaboration across SK Group affiliates, enabling joint development of UPS and ESS technologies and coordinated procurement to maximize synergies.
- Operations are planned to begin in 2027, with the project adding to SK Telecom’s data center footprint to exceed 300 MW in total capacity.
- What strategic goals accompany the project?
- The project aims to accelerate the region’s AI infrastructure readiness, expand Energy-as-a-Service offerings and enable scalable, efficient data center operations across SK Group.
Key features table
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Parties | SK Telecom and Schneider Electric, with expanded collaboration across SK Group via a MoU. |
| Scope | Integrated MEP procurement and digital-twin integration for the SK AIDC in Ulsan; ETAP integrated into AI DCIM. |
| MEP categories | Five categories including switchgear, UPS, transformers, automated control systems, and one additional category. |
| Digital twin integration | ETAP digital twin software integrated with AI DCIM to enable real-time optimization of power and infrastructure use. |
| Collaboration outcomes | MEP reference designs, prefabricated/integrated solutions, expanded EaaS, and joint procurement across SK Group affiliates. |
| Timeline | Ulsan AIDC operations planned for 2027; total capacity to exceed 300 MW with Seoul’s Guro DC. |
| Strategic impact | Supports gigawatt-scale expansion and strengthens regional AI infrastructure leadership in the Asia Pacific region. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- Capacity Media: SK Telecom and Schneider Electric — Ulsan MEP deal
- Wikipedia: SK Telecom
- The Fast Mode: SK Telecom & Schneider Electric expand AI data center collaboration in Ulsan
- Google Search: ETAP digital twin
- SK Telecom Newsroom: SK Telecom & Schneider Electric announcement
- Google Scholar: AI data center digital twin
- Schneider Electric: News & Media (company press)
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Data center
- ETAP: Official site (digital-twin power system software)
- Google News: SK Telecom Ulsan AI data center
