China has officially activated what is described as the world’s first commercial underwater data center located near Shanghai in the Lin-hang Special Area.

The facility is positioned around 35 meters below sea level and has now been switched on after the completion of its initial construction phase. It represents a major shift in how large-scale digital infrastructure can be deployed beyond traditional land-based environments.

The project is developed under Chinese engineering initiatives and marks a new step in underwater computing deployment at a commercial scale.

Offshore Wind Powers China’s Underwater Data Center China Expansion

The underwater data center is powered primarily by offshore wind energy, with reports indicating that wind farms supply around 95% of its electricity needs.

The facility currently operates at approximately 2.3 megawatts, with a planned expansion capacity reaching 24 megawatts. This level of output is designed to support AI processing workloads and large-scale computing demand, including digital services such as 5G support and data annotation.

According to Professor Li Zhen from Tsinghua University, “For an undersea data center of the same scale, the electricity used for cooling would only account for about one-tenth of total power consumption.”

He further noted that large-scale underwater deployment could significantly reduce electricity usage annually, highlighting its potential impact on future infrastructure planning.

Seawater Cooling Improves Efficiency in China’s Underwater Data Center China

Instead of conventional land-based cooling systems, the facility uses the surrounding ocean as a natural heat sink.

A circulating copper-pipe heat exchange system transfers heat away from the servers, reducing the need for energy-intensive refrigeration and ventilation systems. This design reportedly cuts electricity consumption by around 22.8%.

The system also eliminates the need for freshwater, a requirement often used in traditional data centers for cooling purposes. In addition, land use is reduced by more than 90% compared to above-ground facilities.

Engineering Risks Surround China’s Underwater Data Center China Development

Despite efficiency gains, underwater deployment introduces significant technical and environmental challenges.

Key concerns include corrosion, long-term pressure sealing durability, and the maintenance of sealed server modules in deep-sea conditions. The facility is built using pressure-resistant infrastructure designed to withstand underwater environments.

Environmental questions also remain, particularly regarding the impact of continuously releasing heat into marine ecosystems. While the model reduces pressure on land and freshwater systems, its long-term ecological effects are still being evaluated.

PHOTO: VCG

This article was created with AI assistance.

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