**Hut 8 Partners with Google to Develop AI Data Centers**
Hut 8 Corp. has announced a significant partnership with AI model developer Anthropic and compute provider Fluidstack, signaling a strategic shift towards becoming a major player in energy and data center development. This collaboration aims to establish between 245 megawatts (MW) and 2,295 MW of AI-focused data center capacity in the United States, starting with a flagship project at Hut 8’s River Bend campus in Louisiana.
The agreement is structured in multiple phases, allowing for gradual scaling from an initial deployment to gigawatt-level infrastructure. The first phase will focus on a 245 MW IT deployment at River Bend, supported by approximately 330 MW of utility power. Hut 8 will oversee the development of the site, while Fluidstack will manage high-performance compute clusters for Anthropic. The construction of the initial data halls is expected to be completed by early 2027.
In addition to the initial phase, Fluidstack has secured a right of first offer for up to an additional 1,000 MW of IT capacity at River Bend, contingent on further power expansion. A third phase allows Hut 8 and Anthropic to jointly explore and develop up to 1,050 MW of additional capacity across Hut 8’s broader development pipeline.
Financially, the River Bend project is anchored by a 15-year triple-net lease with Fluidstack, valued at approximately $7 billion over the base term, with the total contract value potentially rising to around $17.7 billion if all renewal options are exercised. Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet, is providing financial backing to cover lease payments and certain operational obligations, highlighting the strategic importance of securing long-term AI compute capacity.
Following the announcement, Hut 8’s stock surged over 20% in premarket trading, extending a rally that has seen the stock rise approximately 80% year-to-date. Investors are responding positively to the company’s pivot towards AI infrastructure, especially as access to power, cooling, and suitable real estate has become increasingly challenging for leading model developers.
Hut 8 CEO Asher Genoot emphasized that scaling frontier AI infrastructure is fundamentally a power challenge. He noted that the partnership integrates power sourcing, data center design, and compute deployment into a cohesive platform capable of operating at gigawatt scale. For Anthropic, this deal not only strengthens its existing relationship with Fluidstack but also opens new avenues for bringing capacity online efficiently.
**FAQ**
**What is Hut 8’s new partnership about?**
Hut 8 has partnered with Anthropic and Fluidstack to develop AI-focused data centers in the U.S., starting with a project in Louisiana, aiming for up to 2.3 GW of capacity.
