Svmuu News: On Wednesday, OpenAI announced plans to build Project Camellia in Effingham County, Georgia. The project is a data center campus valued at at least $20 billion, spanning 1,400 acres and requiring 3.2 gigawatts of power.
OpenAI stated that it has met with state and local officials, community leaders, schools, and other stakeholders to gather feedback and will hold public open houses. The company noted that the project is still in the early stages of development, and significant work remains on infrastructure, phasing, design, financing, and operational models.
Effingham County Commissioner Jamie DeLoach stated that the project has low water consumption, will not increase energy costs for county residents, will generate new tax revenue to support schools, and will create new opportunities for local businesses. OpenAI has signed a contract with Georgia Power to supply power to the campus in phases between 2028 and 2032.
OpenAI stated that it will provide $80 million in community benefits over the project’s lifespan and offer up to $71 million in Codex credits to eligible students at Georgia universities, community colleges, and technical schools. Once fully completed, the project is expected to create thousands of construction jobs and more than 1,000 operational positions.