Russian Company to Commission 120 MW Bitcoin Mining Data Center in Ethiopia

BitCluster, a prominent Russian Bitcoin mining solutions provider, is on the edge of commissioning a cutting-edge Bitcoin mining data center in Ethiopia.

The launch of the 120-megawatt (MW) facility, slated for January 2024, is set to position Ethiopia as a major contender in the global Bitcoin mining industry.BitCluster's ambitious project has centered around the construction of a state-of-the-art data center sprawling across an expansive 30,000 square meters in Addis Ababa. 

Nestled within the strategic confines of the Kilinto high voltage substation, the facility has been designed to meet the exacting demands of modern mining devices, according to a statement released by the company on December 21, 2023.

As the completion of transformer connections nears its culmination, the commissioning of the data center is now close. 

Sergey Arestov, the co-founder of BitCluster, spoke optimistically about Ethiopia's mining prospects, affirming, "Ethiopia, with its hydropower potential, will undoubtedly become a new place of attraction for global mining."

Powered entirely by renewable energy sources, the facility will draw 100% of its electricity from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Africa's largest hydropower project boasting a capacity of 5.15 GW. 

The newly-established energy infrastructure of the Kilinto high-voltage substation, operating at 230/33 kV, guarantees uninterrupted power supply, boasting an expected uptime of 99%, the company said in a statement released on December 21, 2023.

Strategically positioned a mere 45-minute drive away from Bole International Airport, the data center enjoys exceptional accessibility for streamlined equipment delivery. 

Furthermore, the region's climate, characterized by an optimal temperature range of 12 to 23 °C and a scarcity of heat and dust, provides an ideal environment for mining equipment to thrive, according to the company.

BitCluster said the project's key advantages encompass 120 MW of available capacity, duty-free import of equipment, cost-effective electricity, and a strategically advantageous location with seamless access to major transportation routes.