OpenAI is planning to build a $30 billion, 3.2GW data center in Georgia.

      Constructing a data center used to be a relatively low-key process. That is no longer the case. OpenAI’s proposal for a large-scale facility in Georgia comes with a public relations effort, as the industry has realized that the more challenging aspect now involves the community surrounding the project.

      According to Bloomberg, the company plans to invest tens of billions of dollars in a complex near Savannah. It has made arrangements with Georgia Power for 3.2 gigawatts of electricity in Effingham County, with one gigawatt capable of supplying power to approximately 750,000 homes.

      Referred to as Project Camellia, this site would be among OpenAI’s largest, as reported by DataCenterDynamics.

      The financial figures are impressive. OpenAI is putting forward $20 billion in the county to qualify for a incentive package slated for a vote this week. With the full 3.2 GW in place, the total expenditure could exceed $30 billion, according to Sachin Katti, the vice-president of compute strategy.

      The initial phase of several hundred megawatts will come online starting in 2028, with the remainder by 2032. The company is seeking partners to assist with financing and construction.

      A noteworthy change is that OpenAI is now in charge of the design process. Rather than simply leasing facilities, it is taking the lead on the design and intends to share these designs with others.

      Open-sourcing the factory

      OpenAI’s infrastructure initiative, Stargate, was initially a joint effort with Oracle and SoftBank. However, its partnerships have diversified, with OpenAI now spearheading the planning.

      “There are numerous lessons regarding how these facilities should be designed,” Katti remarked, which will help "reduce costs and accelerate construction." The company plans to open-source its designs for data centers, hardware, and networking, mirroring the Open Compute Project that Meta initiated in 2011.

      A selective doubling-down

      This is not a broad-based expansion. OpenAI has recently halted projects in the UK and Norway and has chosen not to expand its primary campus in Texas as it tightens expenditures in anticipation of going public. Competitors, however, are continuing to expand. Anthropic has secured over 300 MW from SpaceX’s Colossus 1 in Memphis, while Meta has pledged more than $250 billion for a single campus in Louisiana.

      Winning over Effingham County

      The appeal to local residents is telling. Data centers often face significant local opposition concerning power costs and water usage.

      To address these concerns, OpenAI has stated it will assume the full expense of electrical infrastructure, which current regulations prevent it from passing on to existing customers, and will limit power usage during peak periods. Additionally, it promises a closed-loop cooling system, hundreds of millions in tax contributions, a community fund, and AI credits for students in the area.

      OpenAI also emphasizes the importance of community engagement. Chris Lehane, chief of global affairs, noted that the company has met with county officials and plans to start conversations with residents on Thursday. They will also conduct an independent audit of their commitments. “All issues will be local,” he added.

      The key question for the next few years will be whether these efforts will ensure that a 3.2-gigawatt facility is welcomed in a Georgia county.