tech
March 4, 2026
Who needs data centers in space when they can float offshore?
Offshore wind developer Aikido will deploy a small data center beneath a floating offshore wind turbine later this year.
TL;DR
- Aikido, an offshore wind developer, plans to deploy a 100-kilowatt demonstration data center submerged under a floating offshore wind turbine in Norway this year.
- A larger 10-12 megawatt data center is planned for deployment off the UK coast in 2028, powered by a 15-18 megawatt turbine.
- Offshore data centers could solve power proximity issues, utilize more consistent winds, and benefit from cold seawater for cooling.
- Submerging data centers could alleviate NIMBY opposition related to noise and pollution.
- Challenges include the corrosive nature of seawater and the need for robust, hardened equipment.
- Microsoft previously experimented with submerged data centers off Scotland, with a high success rate, but eventually discontinued the project.
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