Riot Announces August 2024 Production and Operations Updates

Rhea-AI Summary

Riot Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ: RIOT) announced its August 2024 production and operations updates. The company produced 322 Bitcoin in August, a 13% decrease from July 2024 and a 3% decrease year-over-year. Riot's total deployed hash rate reached 23.5 EH/s, a 1% increase from July and a 128% increase year-over-year. The company's Bitcoin holdings exceeded 10,000, reaching 10,019, a 3% increase from July and a 37% increase year-over-year.

Riot's power strategy led to an all-in power cost of 2.0c/kWh at its Rockdale Facility and 3.9c/kWh at its Corsicana Facility. The company generated $6.4 million in total power credits, a 90% increase from July. Riot continues to develop its Corsicana Facility, with Building B1 expected to be fully operational in September, contributing to the company's target of 28 EH/s hash rate by Q3 and 36 EH/s by year-end.

Positive

• Total deployed hash rate increased to 23.5 EH/s, up 128% year-over-year
• Bitcoin holdings exceeded 10,000, reaching 10,019, up 37% year-over-year
• Generated $6.4 million in total power credits, a 90% increase from July
• All-in power cost at Rockdale Facility decreased to 2.0c/kWh from 3.0c/kWh in July
• On track to achieve Q3 hash rate target of 28 EH/s and year-end target of 36 EH/s

Negative

• Bitcoin production decreased to 322, down 13% from July and 3% year-over-year
• Average operating hash rate decreased to 14.5 EH/s, down 7% from July
• Power credits decreased by 78% year-over-year
• High temperatures and unscheduled maintenance impacted uptime at Rockdale Facility

Insights

Financial Analyst

Riot's August production update reveals mixed results. The company produced 322 Bitcoin, down 13% month-over-month and 3% year-over-year. However, Riot's Bitcoin holdings increased to 10,019, a significant 37% year-over-year growth.

The company's power strategy remains a key focus, with $6.4 million in total power credits generated. This led to impressively low all-in power costs of 2.0c/kWh in Rockdale and 3.9c/kWh in Corsicana. These efficient power costs are important for maintaining profitability in the competitive Bitcoin mining industry.

Riot's expansion plans are progressing, with the Corsicana Facility's third 100 MW building nearing completion. The company remains on track to reach its Q3 hash rate target of 28 EH/s and year-end target of 36 EH/s, which could significantly boost future production capacity.

Energy Market Analyst

Riot's power strategy demonstrates a sophisticated approach to energy management in the volatile Texas market. By participating in ERCOT's Four Coincident Peak Program, Riot not only reduces its own costs but also contributes to grid stability during peak demand periods. This flexibility is a significant advantage in the mining industry.

The company's ability to achieve an all-in power cost of 2.0c/kWh at its Rockdale Facility is remarkable, especially considering the high temperatures and increased demand in August. This cost-efficiency is a strong competitive advantage, potentially allowing Riot to remain profitable even during market downturns.

However, the impact of high temperatures on operations, particularly at the Corsicana Facility, highlights the ongoing challenges of large-scale mining in Texas. The completion of cooling systems in Buildings A1 and A2 will be important for maintaining consistent operations year-round.

Tech Infrastructure Expert

Riot's infrastructure expansion is progressing well, with the third 100 MW building at Corsicana nearing completion. This rapid development is impressive and should significantly boost Riot's hash rate capacity. The planned increase to 28 EH/s by Q3 and 36 EH/s by year-end represents substantial growth, potentially positioning Riot as one of the largest Bitcoin miners globally.

The company's focus on building cooling systems is crucial, especially given the challenges faced due to high temperatures in August. Improving temperature management will be key to maximizing uptime and efficiency. The acquisition and integration of Kentucky facilities also diversifies Riot's geographic footprint, potentially reducing weather-related risks.

However, investors should monitor the execution of these expansion plans closely, as rapid growth can sometimes lead to operational challenges or unexpected delays.

Riot Produces 322 Bitcoin in August 2024 and Exceeds 10,000 Bitcoin Held

CASTLE ROCK, Colo., Sept. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Riot Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ: RIOT) ("Riot" or "the Company"), an industry leader in vertically integrated Bitcoin ("BTC") mining, announces unaudited production and operations updates for August 2024.

Bitcoin Production and Operations Updates for August 2024
						Comparison (%)
Metric		August 2024 1	July 2024 1	August 2023		Month/Month	Year/Year
Bitcoin Produced		322	370	333		-13 %	-3 %
Average Bitcoin Produced per Day		10.4	11.9	10.8		-13 %	-3 %
Bitcoin Held 2		10,019	9,704	7,309		3 %	37 %
Bitcoin Sold		-	-	300		N/A	N/A
Bitcoin Sales - Net Proceeds		-	-	$8.6 million		N/A	N/A
Average Net Price per Bitcoin Sold		N/A	N/A	$28,617		N/A	N/A
Deployed Hash Rate - Rockdale 2		14.7 EH/s	14.7 EH/s	10.3 EH/s 2		0 %	42 %
Deployed Hash Rate - Corsicana 2		7.6 EH/s	7.6 EH/s	-		0 %	N/A
Deployed Hash Rate - Kentucky 2,3		1.2 EH/s	1.0 EH/s	N/A		20 %	N/A
Deployed Hash Rate - Total 2		23.5 EH/s	23.2 EH/s	10.3 EH/s		1 %	128 %
Avg. Operating Hash Rate - Rockdale 4		8.2 EH/s	9.6 EH/s	4.5 EH/s		-14 %	84 %
Avg. Operating Hash Rate - Corsicana 4		5.2 EH/s	5.7 EH/s	-		-9 %	N/A
Avg. Operating Hash Rate - Kentucky 3,4		1.0 EH/s	0.9 EH/s 5	N/A		16 %	N/A
Avg. Operating Hash Rate - Total 4		14.5 EH/s	15.5 EH/s	4.5 EH/s		-7 %	224 %
Power Credits 6		$5.7 million	$3.2 million	$23.3 million		79 %	-76 %
Demand Response Credits 7		$0.7 million	$0.2 million	$5.2 million		261 %	-86 %
Total Power Credits		$6.4 million	$3.4 million	$28.5 million		90 %	-78 %
All-in Power Cost - Rockdale 8		2.0c/kWh	3.0c/kWh	(15.8)c/kWh		-17 %	N/M
All-in Power Cost - Corsicana 8		3.9c/kWh	3.9c/kWh	N/A		1 %	N/A
All-in Power Cost - Kentucky 8,9		3.7c/kWh	3.6c/kWh 10	N/A		4 %	N/A
All-in Power Cost - Total 8		2.6c/kWh	3.2c/kWh	(15.8)c/kWh		-14 %	N/M
Unaudited, estimated.  As of month-end. Includes self-mining capacity hosted outside of Kentucky. Average over the month. Average from July 24 to 31, where Riot held 100% ownership of Kentucky assets. Estimated power curtailment credits. Estimated credits received from participation in ERCOT and MISO demand response programs. Estimated. Inclusive of all transmission and distribution charges, fees, adders, and taxes. Net of Total Power Credits. All-in power cost for Kentucky assets. All-in power cost from July 24 to 31, for Kentucky assets.

"August is historically the hottest month of the year in Texas, resulting in some of the highest periods of demand on the ERCOT grid," said Jason Les, CEO of Riot. "In August, Riot produced 322 Bitcoin and continued to exercise our unique power strategy, ensuring that we optimized our energy costs while making more power available to the grid during periods of peak demand. As a result, Riot generated power credits in August that led to an all-in power cost at our Rockdale Facility of $20/MWh, while our Corsicana Facility, which purchases energy at the real-time spot price, achieved an all-in power cost for the month of $39/MWh.

"In addition to periods of curtailment due to our participation in demand response programs, uptime was impacted during the month by high temperatures in Texas and unscheduled maintenance at one of the buildings at our Rockdale Facility, which has subsequently returned to full operation. At our Corsicana Facility, building cooling systems in Buildings A1 and A2 were being completed towards the end of August, and on completion, this will alleviate the impact of high temperatures on our operations at A1 and A2 going forward.

"We have made significant progress towards completing the development of our third 100 MW building at the Corsicana Facility, Building B1, and the deployment of miners within it, which will be completed and operating at full capacity by the end of September. We have also begun to increase hash rate at our newly acquired Kentucky facilities, where additional capacity growth is ongoing, and we remain on track to achieve our third quarter hash rate target of 28 EH/s and year-end hash rate growth target of 36 EH/s."

Riot's Power Strategy Overview

Riot's power strategy is based on being a flexible consumer of power. The Company typically consumes power when it is low-cost and abundant, as opposed to residential consumers, who typically increase power usage during peak periods of demand. When demand increases and/or supply decreases, causing prices to rise, the Company can either power down to reduce power costs, or bid competitively to provide the grid operator with visibility into, and control over, Riot's power utilization. This control gives the grid operator the ability to either absorb excess power when supply is high or to curtail Riot's operations in order to reduce demand when beneficial to the grid, and ultimately, to all consumers.

During August, Riot continued its participation in ERCOT's Four Coincident Peak Program ("4CP"). The 4CP program is an opportunity for users of power to curtail usage during periods of highest demand on the grid in each of the four summer months of the year. Riot curtailed operations in August during peak periods of demand within ERCOT and will continue to do so throughout the summer. These periods of curtailment occur whenever total demand on the grid could reach its peak point for each month and does not depend on the current price for power, which fluctuates due to a variety of factors and may be lower or higher than anticipated. As part of Riot's participation in this voluntary program, the Company can achieve substantial savings on future costs, and participation is a key part of the Company's partnership-driven approach with the grid and all consumers of power in ERCOT. 

Infrastructure Update

Riot is currently developing Phase 1 (400 MW) of the Company's Corsicana Facility, which, once fully developed, is expected to total 1 gigawatt (1,000 MW) in developed mining capacity.

Riot continued development of the third 100 MW building, Building B1, and began deploying miners within the building. Building B1 will be fully operational in the month of September. Development has continued on the final 100 MW building in Phase 1, Building B2, and miner deployment will begin during the month of September.

Estimated Hash Rate Growth

Investor Events

• H.C. Wainwright 26^th Annual Global Investment Conference September 9-11^th in New York City.

Human Resources Update

Riot is currently recruiting for positions across the Company. Join our team in building, expanding, and securing the Bitcoin network.

Open positions are available at: https://www.riotplatforms.com/careers.

About Riot Platforms, Inc.

Riot's (NASDAQ: RIOT) vision is to be the world's leading Bitcoin-driven infrastructure platform. Our mission is to positively impact the sectors, networks, and communities that we touch. We believe that the combination of an innovative spirit and strong community partnership allows the Company to achieve best-in-class execution and create successful outcomes.

Riot is a Bitcoin mining and digital infrastructure company focused on a vertically integrated strategy. The Company has Bitcoin mining operations in central Texas and Kentucky, and electrical switchgear engineering and fabrication operations in Denver, Colorado.

For more information, visit www.riotplatforms.com.

Safe Harbor

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect management's current expectations, assumptions, and estimates of future performance and economic conditions. Such statements rely on the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such as "anticipates," "believes," "plans," "expects," "intends," "will," "potential," "hope," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of acquisitions, including financial and operating results, and the Company's plans, objectives, expectations, and intentions. Among the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: unaudited estimates of Bitcoin production; our future hash rate growth (EH/s); the anticipated benefits, construction schedule, and costs associated with the development of our mining facilities in Texas, Kentucky and elsewhere; our expected schedule of new miner deliveries; the impact of weather events on our operations and results; our ability to successfully deploy new miners; the variance in our mining pool rewards may negatively impact our results of Bitcoin production; megawatt ("MW") capacity under development; we may not be able to realize the anticipated benefits from immersion cooling; the integration of acquired businesses may not be successful, or such integration may take longer or be more difficult, time-consuming or costly to accomplish than anticipated; failure to otherwise realize anticipated efficiencies and strategic and financial benefits from our acquisitions; and the impact of COVID-19 on us, our customers, or on our suppliers in connection with our estimated timelines. Detailed information regarding the factors identified by the Company's management which they believe may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements in this press release may be found in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as amended, and the other filings the Company makes with the SEC, copies of which may be obtained from the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release, and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that subsequently occur, or of which the Company hereafter becomes aware, except as required by law. Persons reading this press release are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

Investor Contact:
Phil McPherson
303-794-2000 ext. 110
IR@Riot.Inc

Media Contact:
Alexis Brock
303-794-2000 ext. 118
PR@Riot.Inc

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SOURCE Riot Platforms, Inc.

FAQ

How many Bitcoin did Riot produce in August 2024?

Riot produced 322 Bitcoin in August 2024.

What was Riot's (RIOT) total deployed hash rate in August 2024?

Riot's total deployed hash rate reached 23.5 EH/s in August 2024.

How much did Riot's (RIOT) Bitcoin holdings increase in August 2024?

Riot's Bitcoin holdings increased by 3% to 10,019 Bitcoin in August 2024.

What was Riot's (RIOT) all-in power cost at the Rockdale Facility in August 2024?

The all-in power cost at Riot's Rockdale Facility was 2.0c/kWh in August 2024.

What is Riot's (RIOT) hash rate target for the end of 2024?

Riot's hash rate target for the end of 2024 is 36 EH/s.