OpenAI's 'Project Camellia' Data Center Plan for Effingham County, Georgia

OpenAI has shared details of “Project Camellia,” a planned data center facility in Effingham County, Georgia. Located within the Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub, the project is backed by a 3.2-gigawatt power agreement with utility Georgia Power, to be delivered in phases between 2028 and 2032. OpenAI says it will provide $80 million in community investment over the project’s lifetime.

Details

• Power agreement: A 3.2-gigawatt power supply agreement with Georgia Power, phased in between 2028 and 2032
• Location: Effingham County, Georgia, within the Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub
• Community investment: $80 million in community benefit commitments over the project’s full lifetime
• Student support: Up to $71 million in Codex credit for Georgia college students, worth $100 per eligible student
• Local economic impact: Projected to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in state and local tax revenue, and to create thousands of construction and operational jobs. The project is entirely privately funded
• Environmental and rate considerations: Uses a closed-loop cooling system to minimize water consumption, and OpenAI says residents will not see electricity rate increases as a result
• Local-first procurement: Local contractors and businesses will be given priority for construction and operations
• Accountability measures: Independent audits will be conducted annually and published, and commitments to the community are documented in a “Georgia Community Compact.” A public open house for residents is planned for July 23

How to try it

This isn’t a consumer product announcement — it’s a community-facing initiative tied to data center construction. Effingham County residents and other interested parties can learn more at the July 23 public open house or in OpenAI’s official announcement.