OpenAI Secures 3.2GW Power Deal for Georgia Data Center

Georgia Power and OpenAI have signed a deal to deliver 3.2 gigawatts of electricity through 2032, tied to a new data center project in Effingham County that OpenAI has named "Project Camellia." The power will roll out in phases starting in 2028, and OpenAI says it's picking up the tab itself, so local ratepayers won't see their bills climb to subsidize the buildout.

The company is pairing the announcement with an $80 million pledge for schools, healthcare, and housing in the surrounding area, along with up to $71 million in Codex credits for Georgia students. Anthropic and other AI firms run comparable local giveaway programs, which double as early recruitment for future users of their platforms.

Data centers have become a flashpoint nationwide, drawing complaints over strained water supplies, constant noise, and a shortage of permanent jobs relative to the resources they consume. OpenAI's move to publicize community spending and a closed-loop cooling system for Project Camellia looks like a direct response to that backlash, though the company still hasn't released detailed numbers on how much water or power the facility will actually draw once running at scale.