Naver 與 Brookfield 簽署最高 $9 billion AI 基建協議，推進 1 GW AI 工廠計劃

Naver Chairman Lee Hae-jin and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang shake hands after signing a $1 billion strategic investment agreement at Nvidia’s headquarters in California on July 24, local time. (Photo: Naver)

Naver has signed an agreement with global asset manager Brookfield to secure approximately $9 billion in artificial intelligence (AI) computing infrastructure.

The agreement fulfills a prerequisite for Nvidia’s planned strategic equity investment of approximately $1 billion. Naver plans to complete a third-party allotment of new shares and accelerate its project to build a 1-gigawatt (GW) AI factory.

Naver said on Oct. 27 that it had signed a computing infrastructure agreement with Brookfield. The agreement is part of a global AI factory project jointly pursued by Naver, Nvidia and Brookfield.

Under the agreement, Brookfield will establish a special purpose vehicle (SPV), tentatively named Asset Co. The entity will invest up to $9 billion to secure AI infrastructure, including graphics processing units (GPUs) and data centers. The computing resources will be supplied to Naver Cloud, which will operate the AI factory.

Naver Cloud will use the computing resources to operate AI services and attract external customers. Naver plans to leverage its existing experience in building large-scale GPU clusters and operating data centers for the project.

Brookfield will provide the initial capital required to build the infrastructure, while Naver Cloud will pay usage fees linked to business revenue. Naver expects the arrangement to reduce its upfront financial burden associated with large-scale capital expenditures.

Naver will provide payment guarantees for up to eight years covering the usage fee obligations of its subsidiary, Naver Cloud. The company explained that providing a guarantee does not itself constitute an actual cash outflow or expense. However, the parent company could incur financial liabilities depending on whether Naver Cloud fulfills its payment obligations.

The AI factory is scheduled to begin operations with 55 megawatts (MW) of capacity in the first half of 2027, expanding to 200 MW in 2028. Naver plans to use its hyperscale data center, GAK Sejong, as a core hub and eventually secure 1 GW of AI infrastructure.

Nvidia will provide technical cooperation centered on DSX, its next-generation high-performance computing platform.

The agreement marks a concrete step forward for Naver’s global AI factory project, which has been underway since June. On June 8, Naver first announced plans to jointly build a 1 GW AI factory with Nvidia. It subsequently reached a preliminary investment agreement with Brookfield on July 22 for up to $9 billion.

On July 24, Naver signed a $1 billion strategic equity investment agreement with Nvidia. The companies also agreed to expand the initial 55 MW development plan to 200 MW by 2028. Naver subsequently disclosed the project’s business structure on Aug. 3. On Sept. 3, Naver Chairman Lee Hae-jin met Brookfield Chairman Bruce Flatt to discuss investment cooperation.

With the definitive agreement completing financing negotiations with Brookfield, Nvidia’s equity investment will now proceed through the implementation process. Naver plans to disclose details of the third-party share allotment at a later date.