OpenAI plans to spend $750 billion on computing infrastructure through 2030, about 25% more than its previous estimate. The first major project under the expanded plan is a $20 billion data centre campus in Effingham County, Georgia, that will require at least 3.2 gigawatts of electricity.
The increase comes as OpenAI seeks additional computing capacity for training and operating its AI models. It also follows reports that parts of the company’s Stargate infrastructure programme have progressed more slowly than initially expected.
Georgia Campus Will Cover 1,400 Acres
Project Camellia will occupy about 1,400 acres northwest of Savannah. Georgia Power has agreed to deliver electricity to the campus in phases between 2028 and 2032, according to OpenAI’s official project announcement.
OpenAI said it will pay all infrastructure and electricity-service costs required for the facility. It stated that existing Georgia customers will not subsidise the project through higher power bills.
The company also agreed to reduce its electricity demand by as much as one gigawatt when the grid is under heavy pressure. OpenAI has not disclosed when the first computing systems will begin operating or which energy sources will supply the campus.
Tax Incentive Covers 15 Years
The Effingham County Industrial Development Authority approved a 50% property tax abatement for the project over 15 years, according to the Effingham Herald. OpenAI has also promised $80 million in community benefits over the project’s lifetime.
The company expects the campus to create thousands of construction jobs and more than 1,000 permanent positions once fully operational. It plans to use a closed-loop cooling system intended to limit ongoing water consumption.
Georgia Power Adds New Generation
The Georgia Public Service Commission approved 9,885 megawatts of additional generation for Georgia Power in December 2025. Most of the capacity is expected to serve large customers such as data centres, with Project Camellia accounting for roughly one-third of the approved amount.
Georgia Power’s plans indicate that about 5.8 gigawatts could come from newly built or purchased natural gas generation. The remaining capacity is expected to include solar installations and grid-scale batteries, though the utility has not identified which resources will directly supply OpenAI.
The utility says its rules prevent costs associated with large customers from being transferred to existing households and small businesses. Its customer protection pledge also requires major users to make long-term financial commitments before new infrastructure is built.
Featured image credits: Wikimedia Commons
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