OpenAI proposes major data center in Georgia, pledges low water use and stable electricity prices

OpenAI is seeking community backing for a significant data center project in Georgia, aiming to pre-empt local opposition that has met similar AI infrastructure initiatives elsewhere in the United States.

The project, codenamed Camellia, is planned for a large rural area outside Savannah in Effingham County. It involves an investment of at least $20 billion and will span approximately 567 hectares, requiring substantial power capacity of 3.2 gigawatts.

OpenAI stated that engagement with state and local officials, community leaders, and schools has begun early in the development process. To address potential concerns, the company has made four key commitments regarding electricity costs, water usage, and community impact. These include assurances that the data center will not increase local residents' electricity bills and that a closed-loop water system will minimize consumption.

The company will cover all infrastructure and electricity service costs for the facility, ensuring that local households do not bear the financial burden. The data center is also designed to reduce its power draw during peak demand periods, easing strain on residential users. The project is expected to create thousands of construction jobs and over 1,000 long-term operational positions.

As part of its community investment, OpenAI pledges $80 million for community programs over the project's lifetime. Additionally, it will offer up to $71 million in access to its Codex code generation model for eligible students at Georgia's colleges and technical schools. An independent third party will audit OpenAI's adherence to its commitments annually and publish the results.