Nvidia ($NVDA) is backing a massive new Ohio data center campus that OpenAI will lease from SoftBank-backed SB Energy, combining Nvidia AI infrastructure with a planned 8 gigawatts of computing capacity. Nvidia will also invest $1.5 billion in SB Energy as the companies prepare the Pike County campus for phased deployment beginning in 2028.
- Nvidia will provide credit support for land, power and shell capacity covering an initial 4.25 gigawatts, with an option for the remaining 3.75 gigawatts.
- Bloomberg reported Nvidia's support could total as much as $105 billion; OpenAI will begin lease payments as capacity becomes available.
- OpenAI will lease the SB Energy-built and operated campus for 20 years, with Nvidia serving as the exclusive AI compute infrastructure provider.
- SB Energy and SoftBank plan at least 10 gigawatts of new power generation and $4.2 billion in regional grid infrastructure through a partnership with American Electric Power ($AEP) subsidiary AEP Ohio.
- OpenAI said the project will support 35,000 construction jobs through 2032 and 2,500 long-term jobs, alongside an $80 million community benefits fund.
Relevant Companies
- Nvidia ($NVDA) - Exclusive AI compute provider for the campus and a $1.5 billion investor in SB Energy.
- American Electric Power ($AEP) - AEP Ohio is partnering on the project's multibillion-dollar regional grid buildout.
- SoftBank Group ($SFTBY) - SB Energy's backer and partner in the power and infrastructure buildout.
Editor’s Note: This is a developing story. This article may be updated as more details become available.
