World’s first commercial underwater data centre goes live in China

China has launched the world’s first commercial underwater data center off the coast of Lingshui county in Hainan, marking a significant advancement in the country’s blue economy initiative. The submerged data cabin, weighing approximately 1,433 US tons and located 35 meters below sea level, houses 24 server racks with up to 500 servers. Utilizing natural seawater cooling, the underwater center reduces the substantial energy consumption typical of traditional land-based data centers, addressing the rising demand driven by AI and cloud computing. This innovative approach leverages the ocean’s stable temperatures to enhance efficiency and lower operational costs while minimizing environmental impact. The project is a key component of Hainan’s broader strategy to develop its free-trade zone into a global tech and maritime innovation hub, with plans to establish a subsea network of 100 underwater data cabins supporting marine research, digital services, and smart manufacturing. Recent policy changes allowing full foreign ownership of data centers in Hainan and other major Chinese cities aim to attract multinational technology