Bitdeer launched its second-largest Bitcoin mining data centre at Jigmeling in Sarpang on Tuesday, adding to Bhutan’s growing digital asset mining sector. The 500-megawatt facility, which began phased operations on Tuesday, is set to reach full-scale operations by next year. The project, Bitdeer Jigmeling Private Limited, is a collaboration between Bitdeer and Druk Holding and Investments (DHI).
GMC Governor Dasho Dr Lotay Tshering, Sarpang Lam Neten, and officials from DHI and Bitdeer attended the inauguration.
The facility covers more than 90 acres. Bitdeer, a Nasdaq-listed, Singapore-based blockchain and high-performance computing company, has mining data centres across the United States, Norway, and Bhutan.
Since August last year, Bitdeer has been operating a 100-megawatt facility in Gedu.
The entire project in Jigmeling, from management to design and layout, has been driven by Bhutanese managers and engineers from DHI. This, the project manager says, shows Bhutan’s growing capabilities in high-performance computing infrastructure.
Bitdeer’s decision to build a data centre in Jigmeling was influenced by a combination of favourable factors. One of the major draws is Bhutan’s nearly 100 per cent renewable hydropower supply. According to the project, Bhutan’s naturally cool climate further reduces cooling costs, improving operational efficiency.
The project added that Bhutan’s strong policy backing, in partnership with DHI, offers a regulatory framework that is conducive to long-term investments. Furthermore, the project said the Gelephu Mindfulness City and Jigmeling Industrial Park, with their reliable power grid and adequate land, provide the ideal infrastructure for large-scale data centre operations.
The collaboration is expected to bring substantial economic and technological benefits to Bhutan. The project manager said the partnership will attract FDIs, diversify the economy, and enable the transfer of cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and high-performance computing to the country.
In terms of employment, the project said the data centre will generate a wide range of opportunities across various sectors, including technical and engineering jobs in data center operations, IT infrastructure, and cybersecurity.
Bitdeer is also exploring innovative solutions to repurpose waste heat from its operations, potentially providing heating for local industries or residential areas.
While the data centre will initially rely on hydropower, Bitdeer is exploring solar energy, battery storage and smart grid solutions.
Karma Wangdi, Sarpang
Edited by Kipchu
