Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 21, China has completed the world’s first wind-powered underwater data center (UDC) project in Shanghai, marking a significant milestone in green computing infrastructure. The project, located in the Lin-gang Special Area of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, was completed on Tuesday with an investment of 1.6 billion yuan (approximately 226 million U.S. dollars) and a total power capacity of 24 megawatts, according to the administrative committee of the Lin-gang Special Area.

Designed to maximize sustainability, the UDC uses over 95 percent green electricity, reducing power consumption by 22.8 percent compared with conventional land-based data centers. The project also eliminates the use of land and water resources for the facility, cutting land use by over 90 percent and water use entirely.

The administrative committee highlighted that the completion of the UDC represents a breakthrough in integrating underwater data center technology with offshore renewable energy. "The project provides a demonstration for the green and low-carbon development of computing infrastructure and for the local consumption of offshore wind power," the committee said.

The facility leverages advanced underwater cooling and energy-efficient systems to optimize operation while minimizing environmental impact. By coupling offshore wind energy directly with data center operations, the project sets a new benchmark for sustainable digital infrastructure, supporting both energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions.

This initiative exemplifies innovative approaches to combining renewable energy with high-demand computing systems. The UDC not only enhances Shanghai’s capability for sustainable data processing but also contributes to broader efforts to promote low-carbon energy solutions and environmentally responsible technology development.

The Lin-gang Special Area has positioned itself as a hub for forward-looking technological projects, with this UDC serving as a model for integrating renewable energy into digital infrastructure. The project demonstrates that large-scale data processing can be achieved with minimal environmental footprint while supporting the local consumption of clean energy from offshore wind resources.

With its completion, the UDC provides valuable insights for future deployments of underwater and renewable-powered data centers, promoting innovation in the fields of energy, information technology, and environmental sustainability. The project is expected to serve as a reference for similar initiatives worldwide, illustrating the potential for combining offshore wind power with high-capacity computing facilities in a low-carbon, resource-efficient manner.

By advancing both renewable energy utilization and efficient data center design, China’s first wind-powered UDC sets a precedent for the future of sustainable digital infrastructure, demonstrating the feasibility of integrating cutting-edge technology with green energy strategies.