KOREA DATA CENTER POWER CONNECTION
The distance to a substation, receipt of an electricity service application, supply negotiations, contracted power, and the actual start of supply do not have the same meaning. AI-DC KOREA separates the names, reference dates, parties involved, capacities, and desired start dates from verified documents and does not present unverified supply possibilities as confirmed values.
Preparatory Documents for KEPCO Technical Review, Power System Impact Assessment, and Energy ConsultationWow Contract Timing and Scope by CompanyPlease refer to the comprehensive licensing guide. Apply the evaluation to the target project from the six steps below, and verify the sequence and parallel schedules for each project.
POWER TERMS
This refers to the power distribution system, including power receiving equipment, transformers, power distribution panels, UPS systems, emergency generators, grounding and protective relays, and the data hall. We review not only equipment capacity but also single-circuit wiring, redundancy, selective coordination, and test plans.
IT load, total facility load, PUE, contracted power, requested power, actual available capacity, and the timing of supply are all distinct values. It is important to distinguish between calculated values and official responses from KEPCO.
Substations located near the project site are potential connection points. Actual power supply capacity will be finalized after reviewing voltage, available capacity, the withdrawal bay, the connecting grid, reinforcement work, the transmission line route, and the supply schedule.
We will coordinate with the electrical design firm to finalize the target IT load, total facility load, active and reserve configurations, as well as the initial, final, and expansion capacities and dates of use.
A preliminary notice is issued once the applicant, site justification, and power supply plan are in place. Eligibility for the power system impact assessment and the energy usage plan consultation is determined based on different criteria.
For projects subject to the power system impact assessment, a separate application for technical review must be submitted along with the notice of intent, application form, business registration certificate, and other required documents. Respond to KEPCO’s guidance on costs and corrective measures, and await the results of the technical review.
Based on KEPCO’s response, the project operator prepares an evaluation report that includes supporting documentation for business, financial, employment, and efficiency plans, and submits it to the Ministry of Climate Change. The project operator manages both the statutory submission deadlines prior to project approval and the schedule for energy consultations in parallel.
Based on the assessment results and project conditions, we proceed with the formal application for electricity use, finalize the supply plan, discuss charges and construction boundaries, and enter into an electricity service contract. Even for projects not subject to the power system impact assessment, a review by KEPCO and a contract are required.
We proceed with detailed design, construction, and the relevant pre-operation inspection in accordance with the permit conditions. We verify the conditions for the commencement of power supply by KEPCO, building occupancy approval, and integrated commissioning and handover for operations, respectively.
DOCUMENT CONTROL
Verification: The fact that an application has been received
Category: This does not represent a determination of available capacity or timing.
Verification: Connection systems, conditions, and additional data as of the review date
Category: Distinguish from electricity service contracts and project completion
Verification: Contract Power, Supply Conditions, and Parties
Category: This does not constitute a building permit or commercial operation.
Verification: Feeder Path, Equipment Scope, and Protection Methods
Category: Land use, road occupancy, and construction permits must be verified separately.
Verification: Statutory Scope and Conditions of Assessment
Category: Distinction from the completion of individual supply projects by KEPCO
Verification: Stages of Actual Electricity Availability
Category: Distinguish from commercial operation of IT equipment and SLAs
INPUT CHECKLIST
OFFICIAL EVIDENCE
FREQUENT QUESTIONS
This includes everything from the KEPCO power supply point to transformers, power distribution panels, UPS systems, batteries, emergency generators, STS/PDUs, data hall power distribution, grounding, protective relays, metering, and monitoring equipment. The facility configuration must be designed to meet the target availability and phased IT load requirements.
No. IT load refers to the load from IT equipment such as servers, while the total power requirement for a data center is the sum of facility loads, including cooling, electrical, mechanical, and lighting. The requested power is calculated separately, taking into account PUE, power factor, reserve margin, and phased expansion plans.
After identifying candidate substations with a voltage of 154 kV or higher based on location, we verify their operational status, whether they are used for railways, the connected power grid, availability of spare capacity and withdrawal potential, as well as the feed-in route and supply schedule using documents provided by KEPCO. The preferred substation is not determined solely based on proximity.
No. Distance is a site selection indicator. You must confirm the following via an official response from KEPCO: substation capacity, grid connection, transmission line route, reinforcement work, supply schedule, and the results of the grid review.
They are not the same. The applied capacity is reviewed separately, taking into account IT loads, facility loads (such as cooling, electricity, mechanical systems, and lighting), as well as PUE, power factor, reserve ratio, and phased expansion plans.
This refers to the total power capacity reviewed and contracted for a facility to receive from the power grid. It is not the same as the IT load; rather, it reflects the facility load calculated using PUE, demand factor, power factor, reserve configuration, and phased expansion. The requested capacity, contracted power, and actual available capacity must be distinguished at each stage of the documentation.
No. Application submission, supply review, electricity service agreement, design and construction, safety inspection, and commencement of supply are all distinct stages.
The current Enforcement Decree of the Distributed Energy Act sets the threshold at electricity usage contracts of 10 MW or more. However, details regarding location, expansion, business type, and any special provisions currently in effect must be verified individually with the relevant authorities based on the latest laws and regulations.
It cannot be calculated based on distance alone. Factors such as supply voltage, overhead and underground sections, road and river crossings, land use, substations and switching equipment, grid reinforcement, and the scope of construction responsibility must be taken into account.
You can check the public maps, centers, permits, and technical database, as well as the review items in this guide. Assessments of supply feasibility, routes, costs, and schedules for individual sites will be conducted separately after receiving the address and official documents.
After identifying candidates using publicly available data, submit the address, requested capacity, desired start date, and KEPCO documents; we will then identify any missing information and the next verifying agency.
Information on IDC, Racks, and Power System Impact Assessment Reports →
This page is a public guide explaining the application and consultation process. It does not guarantee the available capacity, schedule, route, cost, or evaluation results for specific project sites; the latest official documents from Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and relevant agencies serve as the final authority.
