OpenAI is bringing a massive AI data center to Georgia. Here's what residents should know.
OpenAI plans to build a large AI data center, dubbed Project Camellia, in Effingham County, Georgia. The project, involving a 25-year agreement with Georgia Power for up to 3.2 gigawatts of electricity, emphasizes demand response, closed-loop water systems, and significant community benefits. The site is in an existing industrially zoned area, and a public open house is scheduled for resident feedback.
OpenAI has announced plans to construct a substantial AI data center, named Project Camellia, in Effingham County, Georgia, approximately 45 minutes northwest of Savannah. The project is projected to attract billions in investment, create thousands of jobs, and generate hundreds of millions in state and local tax revenue, making OpenAI potentially the largest taxpayer in Effingham County.
The facility will be powered by Georgia Power under a 25-year agreement, receiving up to 3.2 gigawatts of electricity phased in between 2028 and 2032. OpenAI has committed to covering the full cost of necessary infrastructure and electric service, ensuring existing residential customers do not subsidize the facility, a condition approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission in 2025. Additionally, OpenAI will provide up to 1,000 megawatts of flexible demand response, allowing Georgia Power to reduce power delivery during peak demand to maintain grid reliability.
Environmentally, the data center will utilize a closed-loop water system for recirculation, minimizing continuous water withdrawal and discharge. OpenAI also pledged $80 million in community benefits over the project's lifespan, targeting local priorities such as education, public safety, healthcare, and workforce training. Furthermore, up to $71 million in credits for Codex, OpenAI's AI coding tool, will be offered to eligible students in Georgia colleges.
The proposed site is within the Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub, an already industrially zoned area. OpenAI states the data center will generate less traffic and use less water than a previously planned warehouse development for the site. An independent firm will conduct annual audits to ensure compliance with commitments, and OpenAI plans ongoing engagement with local residents and officials, with a public open house scheduled for community feedback.