BitRiver approved for Russia's largest AI data center. 📟🪙🇷🇺
In a bold move challenging international sanctions, BitRiver-B, a subsidiary of the sanctioned Bitcoin mining firm BitRiver Group, is set to unveil Russia's largest AI data center in the second half of 2024.
BitRiver-B is poised to redefine data center capabilities in the Republic of Buryatia and the Far Eastern Federal District, boasting an impressive 100-megawatt capacity—unmatched in the region.
Despite facing sanctions from the U.S. Treasury Department, BitRiver has invested over 1.4 billion rubles (approximately $15.1 million) in this ambitious project, signaling the company's commitment to advancing Russia's technological landscape.
Originally sanctioned in April 2022 for operating in the Russian technology sector, BitRiver and its subsidiaries faced isolation from the global financial system. The U.S. Treasury Department aimed to curb Russia's leverage on its natural resources, particularly through crypto mining.
BitRiver-B is strategically designed to meet the rising demand for high-performance, energy-intensive computations in Russia. With a focus on crypto mining, cloud services, and AI operations, the data center aligns with projections estimating a demand of several tens of gigawatts in the AI sector by 2035.
Sergey Bezdelov, the director of the Association of Industrial Mining, underscores the facility's significance in fueling the growth of high-performance and energy-intensive computing in Russia.
Despite sanctions, BitRiver's commitment to contributing to Russia's technological evolution remains unwavering. The launch of BitRiver-B stands as a testament to the company's determination to play a pivotal role in shaping the country's AI landscape, defying international restrictions with a forward-looking approach.
