Korea to Lower AIDC Recognition Thresholds Below Original Draft
The power-cap criterion drops from 10MW to about 5MW, and AI equipment must now make up 50% of ICT power under the ratio test.
The South Korean government has decided to ease the criteria for recognising AI data centres (AIDCs) below the levels in its original enforcement decree draft, and plans to issue the legislative notice for the subordinate legislation as early as this week, according to etnews.com.
Under the revised plan, the power-cap criterion for AIDC recognition is lowered from 10MW to around 5MW. The ratio criterion's minimum AI equipment power requirement falls from 300kW to 250kW, roughly 280 GPUs, and the share of AI equipment in total ICT equipment power drops from 60% to 50%.
A separate 30% threshold is to apply when NPUs and similar equipment are installed. The Ministry of Science and ICT will collect industry opinions early next week before issuing the legislative notice.
The two ministries involved remain at odds over the exemption cap: the Ministry of Science and ICT proposed 100MW, while the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment proposed 50MW. The 100MW level is currently favoured.
Why the criteria are changing
The AIDC Special Act was enacted to promote the expansion of AI data centres and secure national competitiveness, granting exemptions such as from power grid impact assessments for AIDCs built outside the capital region. In its original enforcement decree draft, the Ministry of Science and ICT set two criteria: AI computing equipment using 10MW or more of power, or AI equipment using at least 300kW and at least 60% of total ICT equipment power.
Industry had asked for relaxed criteria so that existing data centres converting part of their capacity to AI use could still qualify.
Quick answers
What are the new AIDC recognition criteria?
The power-cap criterion falls from 10MW to around 5MW. Under the ratio criterion, minimum AI equipment power drops from 300kW to 250kW (roughly 280 GPUs) and AI equipment's share of total ICT equipment power falls from 60% to 50%.
When will the legislative notice be issued?
The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to collect industry opinions early next week before issuing the legislative notice, which is expected as early as this week.
What is the exemption cap under discussion?
The Ministry of Science and ICT proposed 100MW and the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment proposed 50MW; the 100MW level is being favoured.