#China #AI Compute #Chindata Group #HEC Group #Shaoguan, Ulanqab

Chindata Deepens Collaboration with HEC for AI Compute Projects

In the last few weeks, Chindata Group, a prominent hyperscale data center provider, has announced its two latest partnerships with HEC Group. These initiatives, located in Shaoguan, Guangdong Province, and Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia, are paving the way for the development of advanced AI compute capabilities combined with renewable energy resources.

A New Era in AI Infrastructure

The primary goal of this collaboration is to integrate high-density computing infrastructures with industrial production, responsive to the growing demands of the AI sector. This convergence is crucial as industries globally shift towards sustainable development while addressing the energy-intensive needs of advanced computing.

Shaoguan's Green Compute Campus

The Shaoguan project, developed in partnership with the local government, will focus on creating a zero-carbon data center campus with a gigawatt-level capacity. Spanning approximately 132,000 square meters within the Qujiang Economic Development Zone, the first phase aims to achieve 150 MW of IT capacity. This pioneering effort will not only augment Shaoguan's existing grid capacity but is also envisioned to boost local access to renewable energy sources while establishing upstream electronic materials production to support next-generation AI server technologies.

This extensive initiative is designed to stimulate economic growth in the region, building a robust digital industry cluster that can stand competitively on a global scale. By enhancing the existing infrastructure with advanced cooling technologies and high-density computing setups, Shaoguan aims to become a pivotal hub for AI hardware development.

Ulanqab's Vertical Integration

Similarly, the Ulanqab project marks a transformative step as it will be China's first vertically integrated industrial demonstration zone, powered entirely by direct renewable energy sources. Through a comprehensive energy-compute-production model, this gigawatt-scale initiative aims to merge renewable energy generation, AI compute capacity, energy storage, and robust grid infrastructure into one cohesive ecosystem.

This project will facilitate the mandatory data center capacity and solidify Ulanqab's role as a leader in low-carbon, AI-powered industrial activities. By fostering a closed-loop system where energy consumption and industrial activities are interlinked, costs and carbon emissions can be remarkably reduced. This innovative approach will ensure that both sectors—industrial production and AI computing—benefit mutually from improved energy access and sustainable practices.

Encouragement from Local Governments

The support from local governments in both regions has been vital for these initiatives. Authorities have expressed their commitment to providing streamlined administrative processes, coordinated planning, and policies that align with current industrial trends in renewable energy deployment and digital transformation. This cooperative approach ensures that both projects will be executed efficiently and promptly, catering to the needs of the local economy while promoting sustainable development practices.

The Vision for a Sustainable Future

Wu Huapeng, CEO of Chindata, emphasized that these partnerships encapsulate the accelerating convergence of high-performance computing and clean energy. With unique advantages in renewable resources offered by Shaoguan and Ulanqab's exceptional wind and solar potential, these ventures underscore a shared strategy for building sustainable, low-carbon hyperscale data center campuses.

From a technological standpoint, HEC Group's involvement highlights vital capabilities in electronic materials and advanced cooling systems that align seamlessly with Chindata's infrastructure goals. HEC's Chairman, Zhang Yushuai, asserted the potential for these initiatives to foster a comprehensive AI ecosystem, including areas such as intelligent manufacturing, AI-enhanced R&D, and robotics capabilities.

Conclusion

As these two projects unfold, they represent a significant leap forward in harnessing large-scale, energy-efficient computing infrastructures. Through the synergy of renewable energy systems and integrated industrial production, Chindata and HEC are set to establish a replicable framework for sustainable industrial growth, effectively aligning with global efforts to combat climate change while advancing technological capabilities.