Rubix data center at the former AK Steel mill (Russell)
Also called: Rubix Russell Campus
Rubix, part of Spain's Submer Group, wants to build eight data center buildings on the old AK Steel mill site in Russell. It could use up to 2 gigawatts of power, more than 10% of what Kentucky makes on a summer day, and about 55 million gallons of water a year. The company says it would spend $8 to $12 billion and hire 200 people.
Where things stand: Proposed at a public meeting in July 2026. Russell had passed a pause (moratorium) on data centers in June 2026.
🕒 Latest update (July 21, 2026): Rubix presented plans for eight two-story data center buildings using up to 2 gigawatts and about 55 million gallons of water a year.
What we know
- 📍 Where425-acre former AK Steel mill (brownfield) in Russell, Russell, Greenup County
- 🏢 CompanyRubix Data Centers
- 🏛️ Owned bySubmer Group (Barcelona, Spain)
- 🌳 Size425 acres
- ⚡ Power it needs2,000 megawatts (about as much as 1,600,000 homes)
- 👷 Jobs promised200
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- Where would the Russell data center get 2 gigawatts of power? Would it build its own power plant? 🙋 I'll find out
- Which tech company would use it? 🙋 I'll find out
- Would the Russell Water Company supply the water? 🙋 I'll find out
- When does Russell's moratorium end, and what rules will the city adopt? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- June 2026Russell passed a temporary pause (moratorium) on data centers.
- July 21, 2026Rubix presented plans for eight two-story data center buildings using up to 2 gigawatts and about 55 million gallons of water a year.
Local votes and rules
⏸️ Pause on new data centers
Russell City Council approved a 180-day pause on data center applications in June 2026. Later, Rubix Data Centers proposed a very large data center at the former AK Steel mill site. A consultant for the developer told the mayor the pause could get in the way of the project.
An aerial photo of the area.
Where this comes from
- Developer proposes hyperscale data center at former Eastern Kentucky steel mill · Kentucky Lantern (via States Newsroom) · July 22, 2026
- Submer's Rubix Data Centers proposes 2GW data center at former steelworks in Kentucky · Data Center Dynamics · July 2026
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