A cryptocurrency mining facility is being built in Muskogee.
Port of Muskogee leaders say it represents a $100 million investment and will bring dozens of technology jobs to the region.
A 200 MW data center requires a lot of energy. That's why Oklahoma-based Polaris Technologies is headquartered in Muskogee's John T. neighborhood. Will move to Griffin Industrial Park
Data centers primarily contain these containers that supercomputers are tasked with solving the complex puzzle of bitcoin mining, a very electricity-intensive process. Polaris Technologies Chief Operating Officer Alex Zhang said the signal would come from a nearby OG&E substation.
“The capacity of the substation there is 1 gigawatt, so we don't use all of it, we only use part of it,” Zhang said.
The data center is capable of consuming 200 MW of electricity at peak load. For comparison, a Walmart Supercenter only uses 1 megawatt. To reduce the load on the power grid, they will shut down supercomputers to save energy during peak demand, Zhang said.
“When residents really need electricity, we will stop operations and restore electricity to residences,” Zhang said.
It's not just servers that do all the work in containers. Zhang said 20 workers will be employed when the first phase is completed in April this year.
It is also planned to build a recovery center, which will require highly qualified specialists.
“This job pays well, and we welcome local people, we will train them and pay them well,” Zhang said.
He hopes to make a positive impact on the community with this massive project and says he is eager to work with local talent.
The second phase of the expansion will add another 200 MW facility and create an additional 20 jobs. Polaris says it is still hiring electricians, plumbers and maintenance technicians.