ChatGPT maker OpenAI will build a huge data center near Savannah
OpenAI announced plans to build a large data center near Savannah, Georgia, at an industrial site in Effingham County, which is expected to consume as much energy as a power plant. The company commits to paying for all necessary infrastructure and using a closed-loop water system to mitigate environmental impact. However, the project has drawn some local opposition and concerns regarding water use, noise, and light pollution.
OpenAI has announced it will build a massive data center, dubbed Project Camellia, at an industrial site near Savannah, Georgia, specifically in Effingham County where an open house was held. The facility is projected to consume 3,200 megawatts of electricity, nearly equivalent to the output of a major Georgia power plant.
OpenAI states it will cover the full cost of infrastructure and electric service, alleviating the burden on taxpayers. They also plan to use a closed-loop water system for cooling to minimize environmental impact. Georgia Power has confirmed its readiness to supply the required power and noted OpenAI's agreement to reduce usage by 1,000 megawatts during peak demand periods, a flexibility praised by ratepayer advocates.
Despite these assurances, there is a lack of detailed information, according to Bob Sherrier of the Southern Environmental Law Center, hindering a full assessment of the project's impact. The Public Service Commission already mandates data centers pay their own way, though earlier legislative efforts to codify this requirement failed due to industry opposition. Governor Brian Kemp, who signed the White House's Ratepayer Protection Pledge, voiced support for data centers, claiming their increased electricity demand leads to lower bills for all consumers.
The project has faced some opposition, with a few hundred people protesting outside an open house in Effingham County, citing concerns about water use, noise, and light pollution. Advocacy groups like Georgia Interfaith Power & Light indicated attendees still had many questions about the facility's specifics, including the scale of backup diesel generator use.