OpenAI to lease massive new AI data center in US, backed by Nvidia
OpenAI will lease a massive new AI data center in Ohio for 20 years, backed by a $105 billion financing commitment from Nvidia. The project, to be built on a former uranium enrichment plant site, could reach 8 gigawatts capacity and will involve SoftBank and SB Energy investing over $4 billion in local energy infrastructure. While the project promises significant job creation and local investments, it is being developed amid growing public hostility towards data centers due to their high electricity demands.
OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has announced a 20-year lease for a new, large-scale artificial intelligence data center in Ohio, with a significant $105 billion financing commitment from Nvidia. This facility is slated to be the largest single data center dedicated to AI, eventually reaching 8 gigawatts of capacity, and will exclusively utilize Nvidia chips.
The project site is a former Cold War-era uranium enrichment plant. SoftBank and its subsidiary, SB Energy, plan to invest more than $4 billion into local energy infrastructure, aiming to generate at least 10 GW of new energy to power the data center. OpenAI has also committed $40 million to support local community priorities, while Nvidia will invest $1.5 billion directly into SB Energy.
This development comes amidst increasing public concern and opposition regarding data centers' substantial electricity and water consumption. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated the project is expected to create 35,000 temporary construction jobs over six years and 2,500 permanent operating jobs. OpenAI and SB Energy are publicly stating their commitment to cover all energy and infrastructure costs to avoid passing expenses on to local residents, addressing the growing debate around rising electricity bills often attributed to such facilities.