Georgia Power, OpenAI contract approved for Effingham center
Georgia Power's contract with OpenAI, securing 3,200 megawatts of electricity for a data center in Effingham County, was approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission. Simultaneously, the Coastal Regional Commission of Georgia released its final Development of Regional Impact report for the "Project Camellia" data center, detailing potential environmental impacts and mitigation strategies. The Effingham County Commission is now preparing for a preliminary site plan review and an anticipated vote by September 14.
The Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved Georgia Power's contract to supply electricity to OpenAI's "Project Camellia" data center in Effingham County. Concurrently, the Coastal Regional Commission of Georgia (CRC) released its final Development of Regional Impact (DRI) report for the extensive 1,400-acre project.
The Georgia Power contract will deliver 3,200 megawatts of electricity to the data center campus, positioning OpenAI as one of the utility's largest individual customers. The agreement faced scrutiny from PSC Commissioner Peter Hubbard, who called for more transparency regarding the "entirely redacted" contract due to its magnitude, though the utility maintains this is standard practice for competitive reasons. Hubbard advocated for stronger protections to prevent costs from being shifted to residential customers and small businesses, while also highlighting a positive feature: OpenAI's agreement for up to 1,000 megawatts of flexible demand response.
The CRC's DRI report detailed potential impacts on traffic, the environment, and public services, offering recommendations for mitigation. Environmental concerns were prominent, citing risks to wetlands, floodplains, stormwater management, wildlife, and water quality, with an estimated 65% of the site becoming impervious at full buildout. The report advised Effingham County to thoroughly evaluate drainage system impacts and flood risks.
Following the DRI report's release, Effingham County Manager Tim Callanan stated the county is now ready to consider the project's preliminary site plan, with a commission vote anticipated by September 14. This will be followed by a more detailed development plan review, addressing wetlands regulations, stormwater requirements, and land-disturbance permits. Georgia Power is proceeding with infrastructure development, including substations and transmission lines, to support the massive energy demands of the data center.