EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga. — A massive OpenAI data center that’s been approved could be one of Georgia Power’s largest customers once it is completed.
And it may help drive down power bills for the utility company’s customers.
The Georgia Public Service Commission approved the contract between Georgia Power and OpenAI to power the new Project Camellia facility in Effingham County.
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OpenAI is building the facility in phases from 2028 to 2032. Once completed it is expected to need approximately 3,200 megawatts of power.
For comparison, that’s around the same amount of output from three nuclear reactors at Plant Vogtle in Burke County.
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Utility officials announced Wednesday that revenue from large-load contracts like this one will help lower power bills for typical residential customers by $180 annually beginning in 2029.
OpenAI is paying the full cost of the infrastructure and electric service needed for the site. Georgia Power said what they build to serve them will also make the grid more reliable for all Georgia Power customers.
The agreement includes OpenAI providing up to 1,000 megawatts of flexible demand response - reducing its power usage during times of high demand for customers.
Georgia Power called it among the largest single-facility demand response commitments in the country.
Aaron Mitchell, senior vice president of strategic growth for Georgia Power, highlighted the operational cooperation.
“We appreciate the leadership and thoughtfulness of the OpenAI team as they prepare to bring significant investment and cutting-edge technology to Georgia,” Mitchell said. “At Georgia Power, we are working every day to help ensure that growth from data centers and other large-energy users brings value for our customers through higher reliability and lower prices.”
Georgia Power projects that new large-load customers will generate approximately $950 million annually in incremental revenue, totaling $2.847 billion in customer savings from 2029 through 2031.
The projected annual savings of $180 for a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month represents an increase from the company’s December 2025 forecast of $102 per year. Kim Greene, chairman, president and CEO of Georgia Power, explained how incoming large-load projects impact local utility billing.
“We know every dollar counts and we know that in many parts of the country growth is pushing electric rates up. That is not happening in Georgia,” Greene said. “Data centers are paying more so families and small businesses can pay less and our goal with every contract we sign under this framework is to deliver value for them.”
OpenAI also pledged $80 million in local community benefits over the lifespan of the project to support schools, public safety, health care and infrastructure.
To address environmental considerations, the facility will use a closed-loop water system that recirculates water to minimize ongoing water consumption. State officials expressed support for the development approach.
“This is a historic investment and we applaud the ground up approach all the local partners are taking to this project!” Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement.
An annual publicly available audit conducted by an independent firm will monitor OpenAI’s adherence to its community and operational commitments as development progresses, according to officials.
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