China Launches $238 Million Wind-Powered Underwater Data Center Off Shanghai

3 articles · Updated · OilPrice.com · Jun 20

$238 million went into the 24 MW Shanghai Lingang project, launched in May more than 10 miles offshore and submerged 10 meters below the surface.
More than 95% green electricity from an offshore wind farm cuts energy use by 22.8% versus a land-based equivalent, while submersion eliminates freshwater demand and sharply reduces land use.
Cooling is the main advantage: conventional data centers use 25% to 40% of their electricity to circulate cooling water, as global data-center water demand could reach 9.3 trillion liters by 2030.
China is pushing the model as AI infrastructure expands, building on HiCloud's 2023 commercial underwater center in Hainan and moving faster than earlier Microsoft underwater tests toward commercial deployment.
The Shanghai project could become a template for greener AI computing, though experts say environmental risks to marine ecosystems still need real-world monitoring.

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OilPrice.com5h ago

China Launches World's First Wind-Powered Underwater Data Center Off Shanghai

PCMag5h ago

This Startup Is Building Data Centers Into Offshore Wind Farms | PCMag

Interesting Engineering5h ago

China activates world's first offshore wind-powered underwater data center

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Why is China commercializing underwater data centers when Microsoft’s pioneering project was deemed economically unviable?

Do the energy savings of underwater data centers justify the unknown risks they pose to our marine ecosystems?

China’s Shanghai Lingang 24MW Subsea Data Center: A Breakthrough in Wind-Powered, Eco-Friendly AI Infrastructure

Overview

The Shanghai Lingang undersea data center, fully operational since May 2026, marks a major leap in China's digital infrastructure and sets a new standard in the global tech landscape. As the world’s first wind-powered submerged data center, it combines advanced offshore engineering, robust subsea cable systems, and renewable energy to create a pioneering, sustainable solution for data management. By leveraging the unique advantages of the underwater environment, the project achieves enhanced efficiency and a reduced environmental footprint, representing a new frontier for digital infrastructure and showcasing China’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.

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