Shanghai Unveils World’s First Wind-Powered Underwater Data Center
Kenji Nakamura | AA
Shanghai's pioneering underwater data center combines renewable energy and AI infrastructure to meet rising data demands, potentially setting a new standard in energy-efficient computing.
China has launched the world's first commercial wind-powered underwater data center, located off the coast of Shanghai. This innovative facility, known as the Shanghai Lingang undersea data center, was established to address the growing demands of the AI sector's computing infrastructure in the country. The project is a collaboration between HiCloud Technology, a private engineering contractor, and China Communications Construction, a state-owned enterprise.
Located approximately 10 kilometers offshore in Shanghai's Lingang Special Area, this data center was officially launched in June 2025, beginning full commercial operations by May 2026. The facility boasts a remarkable total capacity of 24 megawatts, equivalent to powering around 20,000 households. Utilizing offshore wind turbines as its energy source, the Shanghai Lingang facility offers a glimpse into future patterns of green energy utilization in data center infrastructure.
A Technological Model with High Standards
One of the unique features of the Lingang facility is its use of an innovative cooling system. Instead of conventional air conditioning, it employs seawater circulated through a copper-pipe heat exchange system as a natural coolant. This technique significantly reduces the facility's electricity consumption and eliminates the need for freshwater in the cooling process. Given that the cooling systems in conventional data centers account for a substantial share of their total energy consumption, the new approach could revolutionize the industry.
Shanghai is positioning itself as one of China's major AI hubs, housing a plethora of industries engaged in machine learning, autonomous vehicles, and biotechnology. The city's burgeoning AI infrastructure has led to an increased demand for data center capacity that offers low latency and high processing density. The Lingang project is a response to these demands and integrates renewable energy with digital infrastructure concentrated on AI.
Echoes of Project Natick
Underwater data centers are not entirely novel. Between 2018 and 2020, Microsoft experimented with a similar concept through Project Natick, which involved submerging a pod of servers off the Orkney Islands in Scotland. This experiment reported lower failure rates compared to traditional land-based units but was ultimately shelved due to economic scalability concerns.
Despite Microsoft's decision to discontinue underwater data centers, the Shanghai Lingang project has captured industry attention by effectively marrying environmental sustainability with technological innovation. Chinese engineers have hailed it as a potential model for future computing systems.
Implications for Urban Digital Infrastructure
The launch of the Shanghai underwater data center represents a significant stride in municipal innovation, highlighting an intersection between renewable energy and cutting-edge computing needs. As urban centers become increasingly reliant on AI technologies, the capacity to support these technologies sustainably becomes crucial. Such advancements offer cities a blueprint for integrating green solutions with digital infrastructure, paving the way for more sustainable urban development.
From an urban governance perspective, this move reflects a broader trend toward cities investing in resilient infrastructure solutions that not only address current technological demands but also anticipate future environmental challenges. The Shanghai model could serve as a pioneering case study for other cities aiming to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability, ensuring that urban development aligns with global sustainability goals.
Questions That Matter
What has recently launched in Shanghai, China?
A commercial wind-powered underwater data center has launched off the coast of Shanghai. This pioneering facility was officially launched in June 2025 and started full operations by May 2026.
What powers the Lingang underwater data center?
The Lingang underwater data center is powered by offshore wind turbines. Its location is approximately 10 kilometers offshore in Shanghai's Lingang Special Area.