OpenAI joins data center venture at former nuclear enrichment site in Pike County
OpenAI has announced its participation in a multi-company data center venture, dubbed the PORTS-Pike Technology Data Center, in Pike County, Ohio. This project, which involves SB Energy, Nvidia, and the U.S. Department of Energy, will use approximately 8 gigawatts of power and aims for a closed-loop water system to minimize local environmental impact. The initiative seeks to transform a former uranium enrichment facility into a leading site for American industrialization in the AI era.
OpenAI, the U.S. artificial intelligence company behind ChatGPT, officially announced its involvement in a significant data center venture in Pike County, Ohio. The project, named the PORTS-Pike Technology Data Center, will be a six-year construction effort alongside partners SB Energy, Nvidia, and the U.S. Department of Energy. OpenAI stated it will utilize about 8 gigawatts of power at the former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, a site previously used for uranium enrichment.
The company emphasized its commitment to sustainability, planning to cover its own energy and infrastructure costs, including grid upgrades, and implement a closed-loop water system. This system will be air-cooled and recirculate water, aiming for water usage comparable to a standard office building, addressing significant concerns about electricity and water consumption raised by Ohio residents and lawmakers. The project includes an 800-megawatt data center to be completed by 2028, largely leveraging existing AEP infrastructure.
This new development builds upon an earlier announcement in March by SB Energy and the federal government for what was touted as the world's largest data center at the location, projected to total 10 gigawatts, partially powered by 9.2 gigawatts from new natural gas plants on site. While the project is expected to create 35,000 construction jobs, only 2,500 will be long-term operational positions. The U.S. Department of Commerce previously linked the investment to a $550 billion trade deal between the U.S. and Japan.