China Launches Wind-Powered Underwater Datacentre
Analysis based on 6 articles · First reported Jun 09, 2026 · Last updated Jun 10, 2026
The successful commercial deployment of the China — Shanghai Lingang undersea datacentre by China, Sam, and China Communications Construction Company demonstrates a viable solution for the energy and water demands of AI infrastructure. This could lead to increased investment in similar sustainable datacentre technologies, potentially impacting the renewable energy and technology sectors positively. Companies like Microsoft, Panthalassa, SpaceX, Sarvam AI, and Pixxel, which are exploring alternative datacentre models, may face increased competition or find new opportunities for collaboration.
China has launched the world's first commercial wind-powered underwater datacentre, the China — Shanghai Lingang Undersea Datacentre Demonstration Project, off the coast of China — Shanghai. This 24-megawatt facility, a joint effort between Sam and China Communications Construction Company, is submerged 10 meters deep and powered by a nearby offshore windfarm. It significantly reduces power consumption by 22.8% and water usage by over 90% compared to land-based datacentres, leveraging natural seawater cooling. This initiative by China addresses the growing energy and water demands of artificial intelligence and positions China as a leader in sustainable computing infrastructure. While Microsoft previously experimented with similar concepts, China has achieved commercial deployment, opening a new race in advanced datacentre solutions. Experts note potential minor environmental risks but consider them manageable.
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