Data Centers in Coal Quarries: The Kuzbass Governor's Idea

Governor of the Kemerovo Region, Ilya Seredyuk, has proposed placing data centers in exhausted coal quarries in the Kuzbass region. According to him, the depth of the quarry allows for the construction of a monolithic building up to 16 stories high, sunk into the ground.

Water in the quarries and underground rivers will help reduce server cooling costs. Capital investment in construction will be minimal, and the facility will receive reliable protection from external impacts due to the roof, lawn, and park above.

The initiative aims to support the coal industry, which is going through a crisis. The Deputy Minister of Energy noted that the industry's loss in 2026 could amount to 300–310 billion rubles.

The proposal comes amid a rise in attacks on data center infrastructure. In October, drones attacked Yandex and Sberbank data centers, causing service disruptions.