BitRiver to Power Up 100 MW Crypto Mining Hub in Buryatia Amidst Sanctions

BitRiver-B, a member of the prominent BitRiver group, is set to inaugurate a formidable 100 MW data processing center (DPC) for energy-intensive computing, particularly for cryptocurrency mining, in Buryatia’s Far East by the second half of 2024. This center represents a significant investment of 1.4 billion rubles, marking it as the most substantial establishment of its kind in both the Republic of Buryatia and the Far Eastern Federal District.  according to RBC.

Despite facing sanctions from the US Department of Finance, BitRiver is forging ahead with the construction of the DPC within the Buryatia territory of advanced development (TOR). This project stands as a pivotal investment for the Far East and the entirety of Russia, as noted by Sergey Bezdelov, the director of the Industrial Mining Association (IMA). 

The DPC is expected to create approximately 120 jobs for top-tier professionals and will focus on nurturing young talent to support the high-tech industry. This development is in line with Russia’s growing demand for high-performance and energy-intensive computing, which, as per the IMA’s projections, could require several tens of GW by 2035, particularly with the widespread integration of artificial intelligence.

This initiative also coincides with a visit from one of the world’s premier vendors of artificial intelligence technology equipment, who evaluated the site’s potential for AI applications. The center is poised to specialize in high-performance computing tasks, encompassing cryptocurrency mining, cloud computing, and a suite of other cutting-edge digital services, paving the way for a technological leap in the region.