MARA invests US$1,5 billion in power plant and targets AI and energy.

• MARA buys plant and expands Bitcoin mining.
• Self-supplying energy becomes an advantage for AI and data centers.
• Demand for energy grows with artificial intelligence.

MARA Holdings, a publicly traded company focused on energy and computing infrastructure, announced the acquisition of a natural gas plant in Ohio for US$1,5 billion. This move reinforces the strategic shift of Bitcoin mining companies, which are increasingly integrating into the energy sector.

The acquired asset is Long Ridge Energy & Power, controlled by FTAI Infrastructure, which operates a 505-megawatt power plant in Hannibal, Ohio. The deal includes approximately $785 million in assumed debt, plus bridge financing from Barclays. The transaction also encompasses over 1.600 acres of land, rail access, water resources, fiber connectivity, and fuel supply infrastructure.

The expectation is that the unit will generate approximately US$144 million in adjusted annual EBITDA, with operating costs below US$15 per megawatt-hour. With this, MARA's total operated energy capacity should grow by about 65%, reaching approximately 2,2 gigawatts in different markets.

The company already operates a 200-megawatt data center on the site and says it is receiving interest from artificial intelligence and technology companies. Construction of an initial AI-focused facility is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2027, with operations estimated to start in 2028.

Goldman Sachs reports indicate that electricity demand in data centers could grow by up to 165% by 2030, driven by advances in artificial intelligence. This increase puts pressure on supply, raising occupancy rates and making energy an increasingly contested resource.

“Power is the scarce input in AI and, with the planned addition of Long Ridge Energy, we are gaining control of a highly efficient, contracted energy platform that has a rare combination of large-scale power, land, water access, fuel supply and grid interconnection in a single location, assets that are increasingly difficult to replicate in today's market,” said Fred Thiel, CEO of MARA Holdings.

The company's plan is to transform the site into an AI campus, integrating energy production and computing infrastructure. This strategy follows a broader trend: Bitcoin miners are diversifying revenue streams by using energy flexibly, whether for mining, leasing to technology companies, or selling it back to the power grid.

After selling 15.133 Bitcoin for approximately US$1,1 billion recently, MARA maintains a reserve of 38.689 BTC, but signals a gradual transition towards direct control of energy assets as a strategic priority.