Envision 5GW Desert Plan Powers Global AI Race

The Mission Gobi project rolls out green computing infrastructure across the vast, arid Gobi Desert. Credit: Getty Images

Lei Zhang, CEO of Envision, states the company's goal is to build sustainable data centers in arid regions, leveraging AI to address critical infrastructure bottlenecks.

At VivaTech 2026, Envision announced its new initiative, Mission Gobi, aiming to develop 5GW of green AI data center (AIDC) capacity in desert and arid regions by 2030.

The Gobi Desert spans parts of northern China and southern Mongolia, known for its extreme climate and vast arid landscapes.

The company, recognized for delivering renewable energy system solutions to global enterprises, aims to establish a new model for clean and scalable AI growth through this initiative.

Building on its existing AI Power System capabilities, which it already deploys at scale, the green technology company aims to transform the way computing infrastructure is powered.

Envision Energy offers comprehensive renewable energy system solutions, developing smart wind turbines, energy storage, and green hydrogen systems worldwide. Credit: Envision

Key Figures

• The Mission Gobi initiative aims to develop 5GW of green AI data center capacity in desert and arid regions by 2030
• Developing just 1% of global desert and Gobi regions could support terawatt-scale computing capacity at a highly competitive cost

Need for System-Level Integration

The expansion of computing power takes place against the backdrop of Europe's energy transition, where rising electricity demand and power security are pressing concerns.

Lei Zhang, Founder and CEO of Envision, noted at the event that the AI revolution is revealing a new structural bottleneck in energy systems.

He says: “The traditional power system was not built for the scale and speed of the AI era.

“Mission Gobi provides a new system-level approach—integrating renewable energy, storage, grid infrastructure, and computing to deliver scalable, cost-competitive clean power.

“Building on our successful partnerships in Europe, we believe it can support Europe's AI growth, energy security, and clean energy transition.

“Importantly, Mission Gobi is designed as a replicable blueprint. Developing just 1% of global desert and Gobi regions could support terawatt-scale computing capacity at a highly competitive cost, helping accelerate the deployment of AI infrastructure worldwide.”

Lei Zhang, Founder and CEO of Envision. Credit: World Economic Forum

Green Computing at Scale

Envision already deploys its green energy systems at scale across multiple facilities, demonstrating the commercial viability of its technology.

The company operates the world's first AI data center in Chifeng, China, which runs entirely on direct green power.

This facility demonstrates the viability of directly matching clean energy generation with high-density computing loads, without relying on traditional carbon-intensive grids.

The company is also building the Envision Galaxy Campus in Ulanqab, China, to expand its operational footprint.

The site serves as the world's only gigawatt-scale AIDC powered by directly connected renewable energy.

These projects illustrate how nations can simultaneously strengthen technology leadership and energy security as computing demands increase.

The company will work alongside an ecosystem of international partners to accelerate the global deployment of these facilities.

Envision plans to collaborate with governments, utilities, technology companies, infrastructure investors, and local partners.

The joint effort focuses on delivering power systems that are clean, intelligent, flexible, and affordable for clients.

The business encompasses three major sectors: Smart Wind Turbines, Energy Storage, and Green Hydrogen Solutions.

Envision strives to reduce the production, storage, and synergy costs of renewable energy through technological innovation, addressing the challenges of a sustainable future.