Hydropower and Energy Systems

Large-scale compute capacity operates within the physical limits of regional energy systems. Availability, transmission capacity, and long-term reliability shape not only where infrastructure can be developed, but how it must be designed and operated over time.

The Mills Network treats energy systems as co-dependent infrastructure. Planning decisions account for generation profiles, grid constraints, maintenance cycles, and long-term capacity outlooks rather than short-term availability alone.

This approach reflects the understanding that compute infrastructure can place sustained, predictable loads on energy systems and must therefore be planned in coordination with them.

In regions where hydropower is available, it provides a combination of characteristics that support long-horizon infrastructure. These include predictable generation profiles, long asset lifespans, and integration with existing transmission and water management systems.

Hydropower assets are typically developed and maintained over multiple decades. Their planning and expansion cycles align closely with the operational horizons required for large-scale compute facilities.

The Mills Network engages with hydropower operators and public authorities to ensure that infrastructure development aligns with long-term energy planning rather than incremental load addition.

Energy infrastructure is capital-intensive and subject to extended planning, approval, and construction timelines. Capacity expansion is therefore funded through multi-phase arrangements designed to support long-term system stability rather than short-term demand response.

The Mills Network does not directly operate generation assets. Instead, it participates in structured financing, capacity underwriting, and long-horizon purchase agreements that enable energy system expansion to proceed in advance of peak utilisation.

This model supports infrastructure development that would not typically be justified by near-term consumption alone.

The following capacity figures reflect commissioned and provisioned hydropower and transmission assets associated with Network-aligned infrastructure as of the current reporting period. Figures are subject to revision as operational thresholds are validated.

Access to generation capacity alone is insufficient without reliable transmission and grid integration. The Mills Network therefore considers substation capacity, transmission constraints, and redundancy as primary planning factors.

Coordination with grid operators focuses on load predictability, maintenance scheduling, and fault response rather than maximum instantaneous demand.

This emphasis supports stable grid operation while enabling compute infrastructure to operate within clearly defined system limits.

Hydropower and cooling infrastructure interact directly with water systems. These interactions are governed by environmental constraints, seasonal variability, and competing regional uses.

The Mills Network incorporates water stewardship considerations into infrastructure planning, including flow management, thermal impact, and long-term availability.

Water systems are treated as shared resources requiring sustained coordination rather than isolated inputs to individual facilities.

Energy system resilience is addressed through diversification of supply, coordination with system operators, and alignment with long-term maintenance programmes.

Infrastructure is designed to operate predictably under a range of generation and grid conditions, including planned outages and environmental variability.

This approach supports continuous operation without reliance on short-term compensatory measures.

Energy system planning informs site selection and development processes described under Site Development.

The principles guiding energy integration are aligned with those set out under Infrastructure Principles.