One of our more innovative projects to date is our work at the Greenidge Generating Facility in Dresden, NY, a site that has evolved from a traditional coal-fired power plant into a cutting-edge cryptocurrency mining operation.
Originally built in 1937, the Greenidge plant was acquired by Atlas Holdings in 2014 and converted to natural gas as part of a $65 million modernization effort. O’Connell Electric was brought in to lead the electrical transformation, drawing on our longstanding relationship with the facility and our deep bench of skilled union labor.
As the plant pivoted toward blockchain technology, we were tasked with designing and installing the infrastructure to support over 7,000 cryptocurrency mining rigs. This included:
- High-capacity power distribution systems
- Custom raceways and cable routing across staggered levels of the plant
- Integration of 3D scanning and modeling to prevent installation clashes
- Coordination across our Utility Services, Low Voltage, Construction Services, and Commercial Construction teams
The original plan to house the miners in outdoor cargo containers was scrapped due to noise concerns, prompting our team to reengineer the layout to fit entirely within the plant’s existing footprint. Our use of 3D laser scanning—capturing over 1.5 billion data points—enabled precise planning and accelerated installation.
From legacy power generation to digital currency infrastructure, the Greenidge Bitcoin Mining project exemplifies O’Connell Electric’s ability to adapt, innovate, and deliver under pressure.