Key facts
- China launched the world's first wind-powered underwater data centre near Shanghai.
- The facility is powered by an offshore wind farm and submerged 10 meters below the surface.
- It uses over 95% green electricity, reducing energy consumption by 22.8% and water/land use significantly.
- China aims to lead in AI and is increasingly transitioning to green energy for data centre power needs.
- Other companies like Samsung and Hitachi are also developing floating or underwater data centre technologies.
China has launched the world's first wind-powered underwater data centre off the coast of Shanghai, a significant development in the quest for sustainable infrastructure to support its burgeoning artificial intelligence industry. The 24 MW-capacity Shanghai Lingang facility, developed by HiCloud Technology and China Communications Construction, is submerged 10 meters below the surface and primarily powered by an offshore wind farm.
This innovative approach aims to address the immense power and cooling demands of AI data centres. According to Chinese government data, the underwater facility uses over 95% green electricity, leading to a 22.8% reduction in energy consumption compared to land-based equivalents. Furthermore, it achieves 100% water and over 90% land use reduction, as natural seawater provides cooling, mitigating the significant freshwater burden associated with conventional data centres.
The project aligns with China's broader strategy to lead in AI and transition towards green energy to meet its growing power needs and enhance energy security. This follows HiCloud's earlier launch of the world's first commercial underwater data centre in Hainan in 2023. While Microsoft had previously explored underwater data centres, China's rapid commercial deployment, driven by market demand, industrial capability, marine engineering, and policy support, has set a new precedent.
Other entities are also exploring alternative data centre solutions. Samsung Heavy Industries is developing floating facilities on ships, while Hitachi and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines are working on refurbishing existing vessels into self-sustaining AI data centres. These initiatives highlight a global trend towards more creative and environmentally conscious data centre development in response to increasing demand and environmental concerns.