GDS Ltd: Zhangbei Data Center (ZB1)

The GDS ZB1 Data Center, located in Zhangbei County, Hebei Province, is a purpose-built, large-scale facility designed to meet the high-capacity infrastructure needs of cloud providers, AI workloads, and digital platforms. Strategically positioned in a cold-climate zone ideal for natural cooling, ZB1 is optimized for energy efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effective hyperscale deployments.

As part of China’s national new infrastructure strategy and a key asset in GDS’s northern data center cluster, ZB1 offers vast scalability, green power integration, and carrier-neutral connectivity—making it an ideal site for long-term digital expansion.

Key Features and Specifications

• Location: Zhangbei, Hebei Province – part of China’s green data center development zone
• Facility Type: Hyperscale / AI / Cloud Infrastructure
• Total Floor Area: Approx. 25,000–30,000 square meters
• IT Load Capacity: Up to 30 MW with expansion capability
• Power Infrastructure:
• Direct access to renewable energy sources (wind and solar)
• Dual utility feeds with 2N or N+1 redundancy
• Diesel generator backups with automated switchover
• Smart PDUs and real-time power optimization tools

Cooling and Efficiency

• Leverages Zhangbei’s cold climate for natural air cooling
• Advanced cooling systems with N+1 HVAC redundancy
• Cold aisle containment for optimal airflow and thermal control
• Exceptionally low PUE, meeting national green data center standards

Connectivity and Interconnection

• Carrier-Neutral: Multiple telecom operator presence
• High-speed fiber connectivity to Beijing, Tianjin, and other northern metros
• Direct interconnect to GDS Beijing and Tianjin campuses
• Designed to support AI training, cloud compute zones, and content platforms
• Secure and low-latency for data center-to-data center links

Security and Operations

• 24/7 on-site security and monitoring
• Multi-factor access control (biometrics, card, mantrap)
• CCTV surveillance across all zones with logging and alerts
• VESDA fire detection and FM200 suppression systems
• Fully monitored by GDS’s centralized Network Operations Center (NOC)

Certifications and Compliance

• ISO 27001 – Information Security
• ISO 9001 – Quality Management
• ISO 14001 – Environmental Sustainability
• Built to Uptime Institute Tier III-equivalent design
• Compliant with green building codes and government digital infrastructure mandates

Ideal Use Cases

• Hyperscale Cloud Region Expansion
• AI/ML Training Clusters and GPU Farms
• Big Data Storage and Batch Processing
• Energy-Efficient Infrastructure for Sustainability Initiatives
• Secondary and Cold Storage for Enterprises

About GDS Holdings Ltd

GDS Holdings Ltd is one of China’s leading developers and operators of carrier-neutral, high-performance data centers. With a strong emphasis on scale, sustainability, and operational excellence, GDS supports the digital transformation of hyperscalers, cloud providers, and enterprise customers nationwide. ZB1 is a cornerstone in GDS’s green data center initiative, driving cost-effective innovation in China’s north.