In a major technological milestone, Chinese engineers have activated the world's first underwater data center (UDC) that runs on electricity generated by nearby offshore wind turbines. Located off Shanghai’s coast, this innovative facility promises significant environmental benefits including a 90% reduction in land use and substantial energy savings.
- Cuts land use by over 90% compared to traditional data centers
- Uses offshore wind to supply 95% of its electricity
- Reduces cooling energy consumption by almost 23%
What happened
After completing its first construction phase in October 2025, the underwater data center near Shanghai was officially turned on in late May 2026. Built by a subsidiary of China Communications Construction, this four-level facility contains 192 server racks and is currently operating at 2.3 MW, with a planned capacity to reach 24 MW. This capacity is enough to power approximately 20,000 households, indicating the project's ambitious scale.
Uniquely, the data center is cooled using the surrounding seawater instead of freshwater. It employs a sealed copper-pipe heat exchange system that significantly cuts electricity usage for cooling by 22.8%. Additionally, offshore wind farms provide an estimated 95% of the center's electricity demands, drastically reducing dependence on traditional power grids.
Why it feels good
This underwater data center represents a leap forward in eco-friendly infrastructure by slashing land use by more than 90% compared to traditional above-ground facilities. Using seawater cooling eliminates the need for freshwater resources, which is a vital advantage in areas where water scarcity or infrastructure limits freshwater availability. This sustainable use of natural resources enhances the center’s environmental credentials.
Moreover, by harnessing offshore wind power, the facility aligns with clean energy goals while cutting carbon emissions tied to data storage. Experts estimate that if similar-powered centers worldwide adopted underwater cooling, approximately 50 billion kWh of electricity could be saved annually. These efficiencies mark a positive step for the tech industry’s environmental footprint.
What to enjoy or watch next
While this project is groundbreaking, underwater data centers are largely untested at commercial scale. Observers will be keen to see how the facility endures long-term, especially regarding maintenance and durability in a marine environment. There are also ecological interests about the impact of continuous heat release into ocean habitats that researchers will monitor closely.
Given the rapid growth of data needs powered by advances in artificial intelligence and cloud computing, the industry is exploring various novel locations—from underwater facilities to space-based centers. This pioneering UDC could offer valuable lessons on balancing infrastructure expansion with sustainability, helping shape the future of how data is stored and managed globally.