Shoufang Telecom Launches $450 Million AI Data Center in Taiwan

Shifang Telecom, a leading domestic telecommunications and internet service provider, officially announced today that it has held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new artificial intelligence (AI) data center at the Central Science Park in Hwuyi. This major investment marks a new milestone in the development of computing power along Taiwan’s western technology corridor. During the ceremony, Shifang Telecom Chairman Shao Hongjia stated that the total investment for the Hwuyi AI data center amounts to NT$3.3 billion, with the entire project expected to begin full-scale operations in the second half of 2028. Once completed, this modern facility will leverage strategic partnerships with international AI data centers and abundant international submarine cable network resources to fully activate a new advanced computing corridor in western Taiwan, laying a more robust digital infrastructure foundation for the island in the era of full automation and artificial intelligence.

As global AI technology experiences explosive growth, demand for computing power across various industries is rising at a geometric rate, making high-specification AI data centers highly contested strategic assets. Shifang Telecom’s decision to locate its next-generation AI data center at the Hwuyi campus of the Central Science Park is driven not only by a desire for balanced geographic development but also by the density and practical needs of Taiwan’s western technology industry clusters. With a capital expenditure of NT$3.3 billion, Shifang aims to build a green data center and computing hub that meets the highest international standards. The facility will be equipped to house high-density server equipment and advanced cooling systems, satisfying the urgent needs of industry, government, academia, and research sectors for massive data processing, including AI model training, big data analysis, and cloud computing, in the coming years.

From the perspective of infrastructure and industrial strategy, the construction of the Hwuyi AI data center is not merely a single corporate investment but a critical link in connecting the technological lifeline of western Taiwan. Shifang Telecom plans to actively promote strategic cooperation with cross-border AI data centers once the facility is operational. This means that Taiwan’s computing power will no longer be limited to domestic boundaries, but will be seamlessly integrated with the world’s top cloud service providers and AI technology leaders. Backed by Shifang’s robust international submarine cable network resources, the Hwuyi data center will serve as a key node connecting the international computing network with local Taiwanese industries. This will not only accelerate the digital transformation and smart manufacturing upgrades of traditional manufacturing sectors but also attract major international technology companies to localize their data processing and computing operations in Taiwan.

Regarding the timeline, although the scheduled start of operations in the second half of 2028 is still several years away, the construction of a large-scale data center involves precise water and electricity supply systems, civil engineering, network architecture, and high-standard information security designs, necessitating early planning and commencement. In recent years, the Hwuyi campus of the Central Science Park has attracted numerous high-tech industries, establishing a strong industrial cluster effect and talent base. Shifang Telecom’s decision to break ground at this time aligns with the national long-term policy goals of promoting a digital nation and a smart island, while also demonstrating the company’s firm confidence in Taiwan’s future economic development and technological competitiveness. The construction process is expected to generate economic benefits for the local construction, electromechanical integration, and related supply chain sectors.

Looking ahead, as this NT$3.3 billion AI data center successfully enters operations in the second half of 2028, the technological map of western Taiwan will undergo a significant structural transformation. AI computing power is not only the oil of the digital economy but also a core driver for national security and industrial upgrading. By completing the Hwuyi AI data center and integrating international submarine cable resources, Shifang Telecom has successfully established a high-efficiency, low-latency computing corridor in western Taiwan. This will significantly enhance Taiwan’s strategic position in the global AI supply chain and provide Taiwanese companies with a powerful digital highway to reach the global stage.

(Source: Central News Agency)