OpenAI, SoftBank and SB Energy are teaming up to build AI data centers that together will generate multiple gigawatts of power.
The partners disclosed a plan to develop large‑scale AI campuses, the first of which will be a 1.2 GW facility in Texas. The project is part of OpenAI's "Stargate" effort to provide dedicated compute power for next‑generation models. SB Energy will supply the renewable electricity, while SoftBank Group will contribute financing and infrastructure expertise.
This matters because AI training now consumes more electricity than many small countries. By securing a dedicated renewable supply, OpenAI hopes to curb operating costs and address environmental criticism. The scale also signals that AI firms are moving from cloud renting to owning power‑intensive sites.
If the Texas campus proves efficient, other AI players may follow suit, turning data‑center construction into a new frontier of competition.