OpenAI announced "Project Camellia," a long-term datacenter initiative in Effingham County, Georgia, committing to significant community benefits, educational support, and environmental considerations, while ensuring no impact on local electricity rates.
The project will contract 3.2 gigawatts of power from Georgia Power Company, delivered in phases between 2028 and 2032. OpenAI said that electricity rates for residents will not increase, as the company will cover all infrastructure and electric-service costs, preventing them from being passed to existing ratepayers under Georgia Public Service Commission rules. The company also noted the datacenter will proactively reduce power consumption during high demand to support grid reliability.
The facility will utilize a closed-loop water system, similar to a car radiator, to minimize ongoing water use and avoid diverting local community resources. OpenAI pledged $80 million in community benefits over the project's lifespan, directed towards local priorities such as schools, healthcare, and workforce training, in addition to generating hundreds of millions in state and local tax revenue.
Up to $71 million in Codex credits will be made available to eligible Georgia college, community college, and technical school students, providing $100 in credits for OpenAI’s agentic coding tool. To ensure these commitments are met, an annual publicly available audit by an independent firm will be conducted and released.
OpenAI has been meeting with state and local officials and community leaders, and will host a public open house on July 23 to gather feedback. This input will help shape a Georgia Community Compact, translating community priorities into specific commitments and clear accountability measures as the project develops. The company noted that significant work remains on infrastructure, design, and financing.
Full Article: Building AI infrastructure with the Effingham County community