What happened
OpenAI signed a deal with Georgia Power to deliver 3.2 gigawatts of electricity to a planned data center called "Project Camellia" in Effingham County, Georgia, in phases between 2028 and 2032. The company will fund the project itself and pledged $80 million（約130億円） for schools, healthcare, and housing in the area, plus up to $71 million（約110億円） in Codex credits for Georgia students.
Why it matters
Data center power and water consumption have drawn sustained criticism from residents and advocates across the US. By committing to cover all power costs itself and investing in local community programs, OpenAI is attempting to address growing pushback against AI infrastructure projects, though many residents remain skeptical of the jobs and long-term benefits such facilities bring.
What to watch
The facility will use a closed-loop water cooling system designed to limit ongoing water consumption. OpenAI has released only vague consumption figures so far, so the actual environmental footprint and how it compares to similar AI data centers remain unclear as the project moves toward its 2028 start date.
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OpenAI's 3.2-gigawatt Georgia Power deal reflects a broader pattern of AI companies seeking massive energy sources to power data centers that train and run large language models. The phased delivery schedule from 2028 to 2032 suggests OpenAI is planning a substantial long-term operational footprint in Effingham County. The company's community investment strategy—$80 million（約130億円） in direct funding plus Codex credits for students—mirrors programs run by competitors like Anthropic, indicating that AI infrastructure projects have become flashpoints for local concern.
The resistance OpenAI anticipates is grounded in real grievances. Residents across the US have protested new data centers citing heavy resource consumption and noise, alongside a persistent gap between hype around job creation and the actual number of permanent local positions available. OpenAI's commitment to a closed-loop water cooling system and self-funded power costs are technical and financial safeguards, yet the company has released only vague consumption figures to date. This opacity, combined with the historical pattern of residents experiencing downsides without proportional upside, suggests skepticism about the project may persist regardless of pledged benefits.
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