DeepGreen underwater data center in Cook Inlet (off Nikiski)
Also called: DeepGreen Cook Inlet Subsea-Compute & Infrastructure Hub, East Foreland Corridor
An East Coast company wants to put AI computer pods and up to 350 tidal turbines on the floor of Cook Inlet off Nikiski. For now it only asks for a permit to study the idea for about three years. Fishing groups worry about salmon, ice and silt; the Kenai Peninsula Borough mayor doubts it can work.
Where things stand: Federal energy regulators (FERC) accepted the study permit request on Sept. 1, 2026. Public comments are due Nov. 2. A study permit would not allow building.
🕒 Latest update (Sept 14, 2026): The Kenai Peninsula Borough asked to join the FERC case (motion to intervene) so the public gets enough notice. Fishing and conservation groups also filed.
What we know
- 📍 WhereIn Cook Inlet waters off the Nikiski shore, in the East Foreland area, 45 to 166 feet deep, Kenai Peninsula Borough, Kenai Peninsula Borough
- 🏢 CompanyDeepGreen Cook Inlet SPV LLC
- 🏛️ Owned byDeepGreen Holdings LLC
- 🌳 Size1,650 acres
- ⚡ Power it needs100 megawatts (about as much as 80,000 homes)
- 🔌 Where the power comes fromUp to 350 underwater tidal turbines. Extra power might go to the local grid.
- ❄️ CoolingCooled by sea water (servers sit underwater)
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- What is the FERC docket number for this project? 🙋 I'll find out
- Will FERC grant the study permit after comments close on Nov. 2, 2026? 🙋 I'll find out
- How would the turbines and pods affect salmon and commercial fishing? 🙋 I'll find out
- Who owns DeepGreen Holdings, and who would use the computers? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- Feb 2026DeepGreen Cook Inlet applied to FERC for a preliminary permit to study the site.
- June 18, 2026FERC sent a letter listing gaps in the application, including that the City of Kenai and local tribes were not notified.
- Sept 1, 2026FERC accepted the application, starting a two-month public comment period.
- Sept 14, 2026The Kenai Peninsula Borough asked to join the FERC case (motion to intervene) so the public gets enough notice. Fishing and conservation groups also filed.
Local votes and rules
📌 Other
The borough asked to join the federal energy agency's (FERC) review of DeepGreen's plan for an underwater data center in Cook Inlet. It wants the public to get proper notice and a chance to comment. Fishing and wildlife groups also asked to join.
Drag the slider to compare the land before and now.
Where this comes from
- Underwater data center proposed for Alaska's Cook Inlet by East Coast company · Anchorage Daily News · Aug 19, 2026
- Alaska fishing and wildlife groups raise alarm over underwater Cook Inlet data center proposal · Anchorage Daily News · Sept 24, 2026
- East Foreland place lookup · OpenStreetMap Nominatim · Oct 8, 2026
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