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Hawesville, KY · Hancock County County · 37.900°N 86.757°W

Justified Data Campus

TeraWulf

Under constructionAI-specificConfirmed

Key facts

Location
Hawesville, KY, Hancock County County
Capacity
401 MW planned
Powered by
Big Rivers Electric Corporation
Announced
2026
Last updated

Civic impact

Economics

Land
750 acres
Jobs
100 permanent

Energy & water

Energy source
Grid · Utility: Big Rivers Electric Corporation
Cooling
Closed-loop

Site connects directly to regional transmission network via on-site energized substation and multiple high-voltage transmission lines, bypassing local distribution. Big Rivers Electric filed a retail service agreement with the Kentucky PSC in April 2026 covering 482 MW transmission capacity for the Justified Data project; TeraWulf bears identified costs and risks for obtaining and transmitting capacity. TeraWulf is covering the full cost of required grid upgrades.

TeraWulf stated at community meetings that no river water or municipal water will be used. Advanced closed-loop liquid cooling system; company stated campus will use less water over several years than the former aluminum smelter consumed in a single day. No reported MGD figure available.

Community sentiment

Mixed

Online petition with 1,200+ signatures asking county officials, the governor, and the state utility regulator to pause approvals pending disclosure of energy, environmental, and infrastructure impacts. Hancock County Judge-Executive Johnny Roberts publicly supportive, citing 100–120 high-paying permanent jobs and significant new annual tax revenue for schools and emergency services. Opposition concerns center on water use, traffic, and environmental effects. TeraWulf held community meetings (March 2026) to address water and cooling questions.

AI company Anthropic commits to long-term Hawesville campus

Status history

  1. Permitted

    TeraWulf acquired ~750-acre former Century Aluminum smelter site from Century Aluminum subsidiary; Justified Data campus announced February 2, 2026.

    TeraWulf Expands Digital and Power Infrastructure Portfolio — Kentucky and Maryland Acquisitions
  2. Under construction

    20-year lease signed with Anthropic PBC (via TeraWulf's Raylan Data LLC entity) for 401 MW critical IT load; ~$19B contracted lease revenue over initial term. Initial capacity targeted H2 2027; full 401 MW ramp by early 2028. Announced July 6, 2026.

    TeraWulf Announces Anthropic Lease at Justified Data Campus

Location

Sources & data provenance

Confirmed: data verified against official filings, permits, or direct operator announcements.

Last updated:

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