OpenAI has signed a power agreement with Georgia Power for 3.2 gigawatts of electricity to be delivered in phases between 2028 and 2032. The company will cover all costs associated with the deal, ensuring local power bills remain unaffected. The project, known as Project Camellia, is part of OpenAI's plan to establish a major data center in Effingham County, Georgia. The agreement includes provisions for a closed-loop water cooling system designed to minimize ongoing water usage. This approach addresses concerns about data center resource consumption, which has been a common criticism in the industry. OpenAI's decision to fund the project entirely reflects its commitment to mitigating local impacts, as it has not disclosed detailed consumption figures to date. Source: thedecoder
OpenAI also pledged $80 million for local schools, healthcare, and housing, along with up to $71 million in Codex credits for Georgia students. This initiative is intended to engage students with OpenAI's platform early, similar to programs run by other AI companies like Anthropic. The company's cautious approach is part of a broader trend of growing public resistance to data centers in the United States, where many residents highlight significant environmental and social costs while noting the lack of permanent local employment opportunities. Source: thedecoder
Water and energy use at data centers are a regular source of criticism, and OpenAI has only released vague consumption figures so far. The company's plans for Project Camellia include a closed-loop water cooling system meant to keep ongoing water use low. OpenAI says it will cover all costs itself, so local power bills won't go up. Source: thedecoder
