OpenAI has signed a contract with Georgia Power to secure 3.2 gigawatts of electricity for its Project Camellia data centre in Effingham County. The supply will arrive in phases between 2028 and 2032, with the company covering all associated costs to prevent local rate hikes. The facility will employ a closed-loop water cooling system designed to minimise ongoing water consumption, though OpenAI has not yet released specific figures on energy or water usage.
This agreement highlights the escalating resource demands of large-scale artificial intelligence infrastructure. While OpenAI pledges $80 million for local schools, healthcare and housing, alongside educational credits, critics note that similar projects often bring heavy resource extraction with few permanent jobs. The decision follows growing community resistance to data centres across the United States, where residents frequently point to noise and environmental strain rather than economic benefits.
* Construction is scheduled to begin in 2028.
* The project is privately funded by OpenAI.
* Georgia Power will deliver the electricity in phases.
