China Dives into the Future of Green Data
China has made history by launching the world’s first commercial underwater data center off the coast of Hainan. The 1,433-ton structure sits 35 meters below the surface, where seawater naturally cools the system. As a result, energy use drops by nearly 90% compared to traditional land-based data centers.
Built by Shenzhen HiCloud Data Centre Technology, each cabin hosts 24 server racks that support up to 500 servers. This advanced setup boosts efficiency and reliability while cutting operational costs. In late 2023, engineers assembled the first unit, and by October 2025, the facility went fully live.
A Deep Dive into Sustainable Innovation
The underwater site, located near Lingshui County, now powers digital services such as restaurant recommendations, travel platforms, and online apps. This project marks a new era for China’s “blue economy” — an approach that merges marine innovation with sustainable technology.
In addition, China plans to deploy up to 100 underwater cabins in the coming years. These future expansions could redefine how the world thinks about data storage and environmental responsibility.
The combination of renewable cooling, high-performance computing, and eco-friendly design shows that technology and sustainability can thrive together underwater.
