South Korea to build underwater data center for AI infrastructure

South Korea is planning to build an underwater data center to support artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, addressing the country's limited land availability. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has selected Ulsan, a major industrial hub, as the site for a pilot project.

The project involves placing servers and other equipment inside large, container-like modules that will be submerged at a depth of 20 meters. These modules are designed to be modular, allowing for expansion up to 100,000 servers. The pilot project is estimated to cost 51.1 billion won (approximately 35.4 million USD), with testing expected to begin as early as this year and commercial construction slated for 2031.

Technical requirements include ensuring containers can withstand three times the standard atmospheric pressure and implementing protections against saltwater corrosion and condensation. The goal is to maintain stable electronic operations for five to seven years using advanced temperature control technology. The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) is leading the initiative, with technical cooperation from SK Telecom, Lotte Engineering & Construction, and POSCO.