Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line), NTT FACILITIES, Eurus Energy Holdings, MUFG Bank, and the City of Yokohama have launched a demonstration project at Osanbashi Pier to develop the world’s first offshore floating green data center. The facility will be powered entirely by renewable energy, primarily solar power, supported by battery storage.

With the rapid advancement of digital transformation (DX), the demand for data centers is growing exponentially. This has led to challenges such as securing stable power supplies, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and finding large plots of land to accommodate future expansions. Additionally, data centers must be located close to major consumption areas and remain operational during disasters.

Scheduled to begin in autumn 2025, this project will install a container-type data center, solar power generation system, and battery energy storage system on a moored mini-float (25m long × 80m wide) at Osanbashi Pier, Yokohama City. The data center will run entirely on renewable energy while testing salt damage resistance and operational stability in an offshore environment. Based on the findings, further expansion into waterfront and offshore areas of Yokohama Port will be explored.

The project also envisions locating offshore floating data centers near offshore wind farms, maximizing the use of generated electricity without relying on land-based power grids. This approach aims to address land shortages, construction workforce shortages, and extended construction lead times—key challenges in conventional onshore data center construction.

By utilizing Japan’s vast maritime resources and renewable energy, this project seeks to create a sustainable digital infrastructure while significantly contributing to carbon neutrality.