On the 7th, SoftBank and its subsidiary IDC Frontier, a company specializing in digital infrastructure, announced plans to build a data center equipped with large-scale computing infrastructure in Tomakomai City, Hokkaido. This is the first project in SoftBank's ``Core Brain'', which is at the core of a next-generation infrastructure concept to distribute data processing and power consumption across the country. The plan is to develop this facility in stages and in the future build a large facility with the largest area in Japan (700,000 square meters) and a power receiving capacity of 300 MW.
Future image of the first project Core Brain (from SoftBank press release materials)
The construction site has not been announced as the land will be acquired soon. The size of the building has not yet been determined.
The first phase of construction will be a 50 MW data center. Construction is expected to begin in 2024, with completion and opening expected in 2026. The cost of the project as of the same fiscal year will exceed 65 billion yen, of which the Ministry of Economy , Trade and Industry will subsidize up to 30 billion yen. Details of the second and subsequent plans have yet to be decided.
The facility will operate as a locally produced and locally consumed green data center, using 100% renewable energy from Hokkaido.
Hokkaido, where the construction site is located, is working with local authorities in the prefecture to form a major base for the digital industry and is aiming to expand its renewable energy data centers. creation, digital-related companies and digital human resources across Hokkaido. We are driving initiatives for ``Data Center Parks''. Hokkaido Governor Naomichi Suzuki on the same day issued a comment, welcoming the construction and saying, ``This data center is truly positioned as a core infrastructure that will further promote efforts of Hokkaido Data Center Park.'' The company plans to do its best to support stable project implementation.
80% of Japan's data centers are concentrated in the Tokyo and Osaka areas, so there is a need to strengthen the resiliency of data centers and power load distribution. SoftBank chose Tomakomai City as the location for its first Core Brain project, considering Hokkaido's geographical advantages, including the need for regional decentralization, plans to build a submarine cable docking station, and renewable energy sources cornucopia. Details such as the construction location for the second project and subsequent projects have not yet been decided.
