Hut 8 Secures $16.8B in AI Data Center Leases, Reaching 597 MW Capacity
HUT•Hut 8 has secured 597 MW of AI data center capacity via two 15-year leases worth $16.8B – including a $9.8B, 352 MW Beacon Point deal with renewals potentially reaching $25.1B. CEO Asher Genoot is funding museum-like aesthetics and closed-loop cooling to address noise and water concerns.
1. Blockbuster AI Data Center Leases
In December 2025, Hut 8 signed a 15-year, $7B lease for 245 MW of capacity at its River Bend campus, backed financially by Google for the full term. In May 2026, it finalized a 15-year, $9.8B lease at Beacon Point for 352 MW, including three five-year renewal options that could raise the contract value to $25.1B. These agreements bring total contracted capacity to 597 MW with combined value of roughly $16.8B.
2. Community-Focused Design Initiatives
CEO Asher Genoot has directed teams to design data center exteriors like museums, investing in architectural aesthetics to create positive local impressions. He plans school tours through facilities to educate communities on data centers’ role in daily life and to mitigate local resistance to new builds.
3. Technical Solutions for Noise and Water Management
Hut 8 is enclosing generators to minimize operational noise and installing closed-loop cooling systems to eliminate on-site water consumption. These measures aim to address government and resident concerns about electricity costs, noise pollution, and water usage as AI workloads drive exponential power demand growth.
