OpenAI to build $30 billion AI data centre in Georgia

OpenAI’s proposed 3.2-gigawatt AI data centre in Georgia combines large-scale computing infrastructure with commitments on power costs, water conservation, education support and community investment as the company seeks to address local concerns over future expansion.

OpenAI has unveiled plans to establish a massive artificial intelligence (AI) data centre campus in Effingham County, Georgia, with an estimated investment of $30 billion. The project, known as Project Camellia, is expected to become one of the company’s largest AI infrastructure facilities, delivering up to 3.2 gigawatts of computing capacity once fully operational.

The planned campus will cover approximately 1,400 acres within the Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub, an area already designated for industrial development. Construction is scheduled to be carried out in multiple phases between 2028 and 2032, reflecting OpenAI’s long-term strategy to expand the infrastructure required to support increasingly advanced AI models and services.

Unlike previous announcements centred primarily on technical capabilities and computing scale, OpenAI has placed significant emphasis on the project's potential benefits for the surrounding community. The company outlined several commitments aimed at addressing concerns commonly associated with large data centre developments, including energy consumption, water usage and local economic impact.

Focus on energy, water and community investment

One of the key elements of OpenAI's proposal relates to electricity usage. The company said it will bear the full cost of the infrastructure and electrical service required to support the facility. It also stated that it intends to reduce its power consumption during periods of peak demand to minimise any impact on residential electricity users and support the stability of Georgia Power's grid. However, the company has not disclosed how these demand-management measures will be implemented.

Water conservation also features prominently in the project plans. OpenAI said the campus will employ a closed-loop cooling system designed to recycle water rather than continuously drawing from and discharging into local water sources. According to the company, this approach will significantly reduce long-term water consumption after the system's initial filling and commissioning process.

Beyond environmental considerations, OpenAI has pledged to invest $80 million in community initiatives over the lifetime of the project. The company also expects the development to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in state and local tax revenues, positioning it among the largest taxpayers in Effingham County.

In addition, OpenAI plans to support higher education by providing eligible students enrolled in Georgia universities, community colleges and technical institutions with access to up to $71 million in OpenAI Codex credits. The initiative is intended to help students develop AI-related skills and gain practical experience with software development tools powered by generative AI.

The proposed investment reflects the growing demand for AI computing infrastructure while highlighting the increasing importance of balancing technological expansion with environmental responsibility and community engagement.