Jacobs launches $10 billion data center project in Louisiana

Jacobs has officially launched a $10 billion data center project in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana. The River Bend Data Center Campus will be developed in phases, with operations expected to begin by Q2 2027. The project aims to expand the regions infrastructure while supporting AI and digital services growth.

A major energy infrastructure company has officially started construction on a multibillion-dollar data center project in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana. This marks another significant addition to the expanding list of large-scale infrastructure projects in the state. Hut 8, a Miami-based energy infrastructure provider, has announced the commencement of the first phase of its River Bend Data Center Campus, with the total value of the project estimated at $10 billion. Operations are expected to begin in the second quarter of 2027.

Key Participants in the Project

The Dallas-based Jacobs company has been selected as the engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPC) partner for the project. Jacobs will collaborate with Vertiv, a critical infrastructure provider headquartered in Westerville, Ohio, to bring the project to life. Additionally, financial support will come from major institutions such as J.P. Morgan and Goldman Sachs, which will provide financing for up to 85% of the projects overall costs.

During a recent fiscal earnings call, Jacobs CEO Bob Pragada emphasized the company's expanding role in the data center industry. He noted that Jacobs' data center business has experienced a fivefold increase in growth. Jacobs brings decades of global expertise in delivering complex infrastructure for advanced facilities, said Pragada. Our partnership with Hut 8 demonstrates the shared ambition required to develop a project that will set the benchmark for AI infrastructure.

Project Specifications

The River Bend Data Center Campus has already secured an initial 330 megawatts of utility capacity from Entergy Louisiana, with the potential to expand this capacity by an additional 1,000 megawatts. If fully scaled, the River Bend campus will rank as one of the largest data center campuses in the world. Should the project reach its maximum capacity, it would become one of the largest private capital projects in the history of Louisiana.

The Rise of the Data Center Industry in Louisiana

The River Bend initiative is part of a broader trend of hyperscale data center developments in Louisiana. For instance, last year, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, collaborated with several construction firms including Turner Construction, DPR, and Mortenson to establish a $10 billion data center in Richland Parish, located near Monroe, Louisiana.

Governor Jeff Landry of Louisiana has expressed strong support for the growing trend, stating, Louisiana continues to win. Hut 8s investment in the River Bend project is another example of our state's ability to attract major global investments, particularly in forward-looking sectors such as technology and data infrastructure.

Impact on Local Workforce

During peak construction, the River Bend Data Center is expected to provide employment for approximately 1,000 workers, offering a substantial boost to the local economy. This will create significant opportunities for local contractors, construction firms, and workers in the region, further enhancing the economic impact of the project.

Looking Forward

As the construction of the River Bend Data Center progresses, it is poised to become a key component in the global data infrastructure sector. The substantial investment and industry expertise behind this project ensure its potential for long-term success and importance in the development of next-generation digital services and artificial intelligence capabilities.

For more updates on this project and similar developments, stay tuned for future announcements and insights.

Sources:

• Jacobs launches $10 billion data center project in Louisiana - Reuters
• Jacobs launches $10 billion data center project in Louisiana - The Wall Street Journal
• Jacobs launches $10 billion data center project in Louisiana - TechCrunch
• Jacobs starts $10B Louisiana data center