Hut 8 to Develop $10B AI Data Center in Louisiana, Creating Jobs

In a significant move to bolster its presence in the high-performance computing sector, Hut 8 has announced plans to establish the River Bend AI data center campus in Southeast Louisiana. This initiative marks an investment of up to $10 billion during its first phase, underlining Hut 8's commitment to developing a robust digital infrastructure that integrates power and computing at scale.

Construction efforts for Phase I will engage around 1,000 workers at its peak, ultimately bringing in at least 75 direct jobs upon completion. Louisiana Economic Development (LED) anticipates the project will also generate approximately 193 indirect jobs, summing up to 268 new opportunities in the region.

Governor Jeff Landry highlighted the project's strategic significance, mentioning, “Louisiana continues to win. Hut 8’s investment in River Bend builds on our track record of attracting global-scale projects in the industries of the future.”

Fluidstack, backed financially by Google, will be a key tenant. With potential utility capacity reaching up to 1,000 MW, the site is poised to position Louisiana as a central hub for high-performance computing over the long term.

Asher Genoot, CEO of Hut 8, underscored the collaborative nature of the project, stating, “River Bend is a testament to the power of partnership. Together, we will build infrastructure that supports the world’s most advanced technological applications at scale.”

To support this large-scale operation, Hut 8 has collaborated with Entergy Louisiana, securing an initial supply of 330 MW to power a 245 MW critical IT load for Fluidstack. Entergy's President and CEO, Phillip May, remarked on Louisiana's competitive energy landscape, emphasizing their ability to provide "reliable, scalable power while maintaining some of the lowest electricity rates in the country."

The State of Louisiana has bolstered its appeal to such large-scale projects through a suite of incentive programs. Hut 8 is expected to leverage the state's sales and use tax rebate for data center equipment purchases and partake in the Quality Jobs program.

LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois commented on the impact of the River Bend development, saying, “This project will generate high-wage jobs and create pathways for Louisianans to build long-term careers in the industries of the future.”

Scheduled to begin operations by the second quarter of 2027, the data center's construction is already underway. Parish President Kenny Havard expressed enthusiasm, stating, “This is a once-in-a-generation project that will bring jobs, opportunity, and investment to our parish for decades to come.”

Louisiana's track record of securing significant investments is further solidified with the addition of the River Bend campus. Recent high-profile projects include Meta’s $10 billion AI data center and the Hyundai Steel Company’s $6 billion manufacturing facility.

Lori Melancon, President and CEO of the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership, reflected on the development, noting, “This is a great win for West Feliciana Parish, and it reflects the continued momentum across the Capital Region.”

About Hut 8

Hut 8 Corp. specializes in energy infrastructure that integrates power, digital assets, and computing at scale to support next-generation technology applications. Their operations span various sites across North America, focusing on Bitcoin mining, data centers, and power generation.

About Entergy Louisiana

Entergy Louisiana, LLC, a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, provides electric and natural gas services across multiple states. Known for its clean energy initiatives, Entergy delivers services to millions of customers across the southern United States.

About LED

Louisiana Economic Development is tasked with enhancing the state's economic prospects through strategic investments and job creation. More information is available at OpportunityLouisiana.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Gautier Lemyze-Young, Hut 8
media@hut8.com

Brandon Scardigli, Entergy
bscardi@entergy.com