{
  "id": 14689909,
  "title": "Concerns raised as data centres go underwater in China",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/concerns-raised-as-data-centres-go-underwater-in-china",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-15T12:15:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dialogue Earth",
    "slug": "dialogue-earth",
    "url": "https://dialogue.earth/en/business/concerns-raised-as-data-centres-go-underwater-in-china/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Near Shanghai, a massive data centre floats above the ocean floor, utilizing cool seawater to power its operations. This offshore facility, connected to five hectares of wind turbines, represents a new approach to data storage, touted as environmentally friendly. However, experts warn that the environmental impact of these underwater data centres is still unclear.\n\nChina's AI industry is booming, with the country operating or constructing 250 AI data centres as of 2024, up from 60 in the previous year. Data centres consume vast amounts of energy, with cooling being the largest energy expense. Underwater installations offer a solution, with research suggesting they can reduce energy use by 18% to 28% compared to land-based centres.\n\nThe 1.6 billion CNY (USD 240 million) Lingang facility, a joint project between Shanghai HiCloud Technology and state-owned enterprises, uses seawater for cooling, avoiding the need for fresh water – a significant advantage for landlocked areas. The facility is 95% powered by wind energy, making it highly sustainable.\n\nWhile some see underwater data centres as a green solution, concerns remain about their impact on marine life and ocean temperatures. HiCloud, the company behind the Lingang facility, maintains that the heat exchanger's discharge is minimal, with an increase of less than 1C within a two-meter radius. However, experts caution that even small changes could harm vulnerable organisms, particularly those unable to move away.\n\nFurther research is needed to fully understand the long-term environmental implications of these innovative data centres, as their potential benefits in terms of energy efficiency and reduced water usage could outweigh the risks posed to local ecosystems.",
  "summary": "A Chinese firm is deploying data servers to the sea for natural cooling. Experts say more information on their environmental impacts is needed before expansion The post Concerns raised as data centres go underwater in China appeared first on Dialogue Earth .",
  "key_points": [
    "China has 250 AI data centres, up from 60 in 2023",
    "Lingang facility uses seawater for cooling, powered by wind energy",
    "Concerns about underwater data centres' impact on marine life and ocean temperatures"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}