On February 18th, 2025, Hainan took a significant step forward in underwater data center technology with the deployment of a new data module off the coast of Lingshui. This addition expands the existing Hainan Underwater Intelligent Computing Center Cluster, showcasing Hainan’s commitment to innovative and environmentally friendly data storage solutions.
Technical Specifications
The newly deployed data module is an impressive feat of engineering:
- Type: Pressure vessel
- Length: 18 meters
- Diameter: 3.6 meters
- Capacity: Over 400 high-performance servers
- Connection: Links to client data systems via a shore station
Computing Power
The expanded underwater data center boasts remarkable processing capabilities:
- Equivalent to approximately 30,000 high-end gaming computers operating simultaneously
- Can perform calculations in one second that would take a regular computer a year to complete
- Supports DeepSeek-based intelligent assistants, handling about 7,000 intelligent interactions per second
Environmental Benefits
Underwater data centers offer significant advantages over traditional land-based facilities:
- Uses seawater as a natural coolant, improving cooling efficiency
- Saves substantial amounts of land, freshwater, and electricity
- Achieves 40-60% better energy efficiency compared to land-based data centers
- Operates with a “perfect” water usage effectiveness (WUE) of zero
Applications and Adoption
The Hainan Underwater Intelligent Computing Center Cluster has already gained traction in various sectors:
- Signed contracts with 10 enterprises
- Applications include:
- Artificial intelligence model training and inference
- Industrial simulation
- Game production
- Marine science research
Project Background
The Hainan Undersea Data Center is a collaborative effort involving:
- Sanya government
- Hainan Provincial State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission
- Offshore Oil Engineering Company
- Beijing Highlander Digital Technology Co., Ltd.
- Shenzhen HiCloud
Beijing Sinnet, a leading data center and cloud computing provider in China, will operate the facility. The project, which was first announced in Q1 2021, had an estimated cost of approximately $879 million and a completion date of Q2 2025.
This underwater data center project demonstrates Hainan’s commitment to sustainable and efficient data storage solutions. By leveraging the natural cooling properties of the ocean, it addresses key challenges faced by traditional data centers, such as high energy consumption and water usage. The project’s success could pave the way for more underwater data centers globally, potentially revolutionizing the data storage industry while contributing to environmental conservation efforts.
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