Hut 8 to Invest About $16 Million in Louisiana Water Infrastructure for AI Data Center

Hut 8 states the Louisiana project will fund a new well, about 8 miles of water main, and related upgrades for its River Bend AI campus, with no cost to local taxpayers and transfer to the parish after completion.

Summary

Hut 8 is moving forward with an approximately $16 million investment to improve water infrastructure in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, as part of its River Bend AI data center campus development. The project includes a new water well, about eight miles of water main, and other upgrades, with completion expected in the second half of 2026, after which the infrastructure is to be handed over to the parish. Hut 8 said local taxpayers will not bear any costs. The company also said the River Bend campus will use a closed-loop cooling system to reduce long-term water use and will source water from outside the residential aquifer to avoid drawing from local household supply. CEO Asher Genoot said the project is intended to strengthen, rather than strain, the parish’s water system. Hut 8 expects around 1,000 construction workers at peak activity.

Terms & Concepts
  • AI data center: A facility designed to support artificial intelligence computing workloads, which typically require large amounts of electricity, cooling, and related infrastructure.
  • Closed-loop cooling system: A cooling setup that recirculates water or coolant to reduce ongoing water consumption compared with systems that rely on continuous fresh water use.
  • Capital investment: Funds committed to long-term assets or infrastructure, such as utility systems, facilities, and equipment, to support operations and expansion.