TeraWulf Justified Data Campus (former Century Aluminum smelter)
Also called: Justified Data Campus, Justified DataPower
TeraWulf is turning the old Century Aluminum smelter near Hawesville into a large AI data center. It can draw up to 482 megawatts of power. The AI company Anthropic has signed a 20-year lease. State regulators say other power customers will not pay for it.
Where things stand: State regulators approved the 482-megawatt power contract in August 2026. Anthropic signed a 20-year lease; space is to be delivered from late 2027 into 2028.
🕒 Latest update (Aug 21, 2026): The Kentucky Public Service Commission approved the 15-year power contract for up to 482 megawatts. It said the deal protects other customers from the costs.
What we know
- 📍 WhereFormer Century Aluminum smelter near Hawesville, about 20 miles east of Owensboro, Unincorporated Hancock County, Hancock County
- 🏢 CompanyJustified DataPower LLC
- 🏛️ Owned byTeraWulf Inc.
- 👤 Built forAnthropic
- ⚡ Power it needs482 megawatts (about as much as 385,600 homes)
- 🔌 Where the power comes fromBig Rivers Electric and Kenergy, using the old smelter's power connection to the regional grid (MISO). The company must cut its use in a grid emergency.
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- How much water will the Hawesville data center use per day? 🙋 I'll find out
- How many diesel backup generators will be on site? 🙋 I'll find out
- Did Hancock County give a tax break or payment-in-lieu-of-taxes deal? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- June 2, 2026Big Rivers and TeraWulf presented the power contract to the Kentucky Public Service Commission (Case No. 2026-00115).
- July 2026The PSC held a public hearing at Hancock County High School.
- July 6, 2026TeraWulf announced Anthropic signed a 20-year lease for about 401 megawatts of computing space at the campus.
- Aug 21, 2026The Kentucky Public Service Commission approved the 15-year power contract for up to 482 megawatts. It said the deal protects other customers from the costs.
An aerial photo of the area.
Where this comes from
- Big Rivers / TeraWulf handout, PSC Case No. 2026-00115 · Kentucky Public Service Commission (case filing) · June 2, 2026
- TeraWulf announces long-term AI infrastructure lease (Hawesville) · TeraWulf · July 6, 2026
- AI company Anthropic commits to long-term Hawesville campus · Spectrum News 1 · July 6, 2026
- Ky. utility regulator OKs electricity contract for TeraWulf's Hancock County data center project · WEKU · Aug 21, 2026
- PSC approves TeraWulf power deal · Spectrum News 1 · Aug 24, 2026
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