DeepSeek Plans AI Data Center Expansion in Inner Mongolia
Hangzhou-based AI startup DeepSeek is reportedly planning to expand its computing capacity by approximately 1 gigawatt (GW) through a mix of company-owned infrastructure and leased facilities, primarily located in Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia. The project aims for partial operations as early as late 2027 or early 2028. However, the scale has not been officially confirmed via public announcements or filings. Ulanqab offers advantages such as lower temperatures and renewable energy resources, making it an attractive location for large-scale data centers. The region is already home to multiple computing projects by companies like Alibaba and Kuaishou. DeepSeek's hardware choice remains unclear but could involve either Nvidia or Huawei systems, both of which have been previously linked with the company. The 1 GW target may represent a distributed infrastructure footprint rather than one centralized campus. The distinction between critical IT load versus total power allocation will significantly affect usable compute capacity and capital requirements.
Topics: Artificial Intelligence Data Centers Energy Consumption Green Computing