Data Center Market Update 5: Clean Power and New Infrastructure Models Enter Japan’s Data Center Sector

Japan Tests Offshore Data Centers as Yokohama Pilot Launches in March

Japan’s first offshore floating data center demonstration is scheduled to begin operations in late March at Yokohama’s Osanbashi Pier, piloting a first-of-its-kind approach to supplying AI infrastructure with renewable power.

The facility, approximately 25 meters wide and 80 meters long, integrates a compact data center with on-site solar generation and battery storage. The project is being led by NYK Line in partnership with Eurus Energy and the City of Yokohama, with the objective of validating whether a fully renewable-powered offshore model can operate reliably in a marine environment. Although NYK has little experience with DCs, its maritime expertise, particularly in offshore asset management, is seen as a differentiator.

Image of an offshore floating green data center — Image of NYK Line’s offshore floating green data center

The pilot will assess several technical factors, including operational stability under variable renewable output, exposure to salt damage, broader durability challenges associated with offshore infrastructure, and cost efficiency of seawater for cooling. Insights from the trial are expected to inform the design of a commercial-scale facility targeted for around 2030.

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NEC Secures Wind Virtual PPA to Support Data Center Decarbonization

Cosmo Eco Power has entered into a virtual PPA with NEC to provide environmental value derived from the 48.3 MW Chuki Wind Farm in Wakayama Prefecture. The agreement, signed in December 2025, will begin supplying renewable attributes from April, with the power applied to a portion of electricity consumed by NEC-operated data centers.

With this contract and prior procurement initiatives, NEC expects renewables to account for roughly 50% of electricity used across its data center fleet, a notable increase from 28% in FY2024. NEC has been a member of RE100 since 2021 and is targeting net-zero emissions and 100% renewable electricity by 2040.