IREN, the Nasdaq-listed company formerly known for Bitcoin mining, has secured conditional baseload certification for its 2 GW Sweetwater Hub data center project in ERCOT’s Batch Zero interconnection screening process, according to Techub News, citing CryptoBriefing. The designation means the project is being treated as credible power demand rather than a speculative grid application.
The Sweetwater Hub is located in West Texas and is split into two parts: Sweetwater 1 with 1,400 MW and Sweetwater 2 with 600 MW. IREN said the high-voltage substation for Sweetwater 1 was energized on May 1, 2026. The first 300 MW of data center capacity is expected to come online in the fourth quarter of 2027.
The update also reflects IREN’s shift away from its earlier identity as a Bitcoin mining company toward large-scale data center development. Its total installed capacity worldwide has now surpassed 5 GW. ERCOT introduced the Batch Zero framework as it deals with a backlog of interconnection requests running into the hundreds of gigawatts during the current AI infrastructure boom.
IREN’s 2 GW Sweetwater Hub data center project has received conditional baseload certification in ERCOT’s Batch Zero interconnection screening process, according to Techub News, which cited CryptoBriefing.
That status means the project is being recognized as real power demand rather than a speculative application.
Sweetwater Hub breakdown
The Sweetwater Hub is in West Texas and consists of two parts: Sweetwater 1 at 1,400 MW and Sweetwater 2 at 600 MW.
The high-voltage substation for Sweetwater 1 was energized on May 1, 2026. Its initial 300 MW of data center capacity is expected to come online in the fourth quarter of 2027.
IREN’s business shift
IREN was previously a Bitcoin mining company and is now moving into large-scale data center development. Its total installed capacity worldwide has surpassed 5 GW.
Why ERCOT launched Batch Zero
CryptoBriefing said ERCOT introduced the Batch Zero framework to address a backlog of interconnection applications totaling hundreds of gigawatts during the AI infrastructure boom, using batch evaluation of credible projects to ease grid access congestion.
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