OpenAI expands search for sites beyond Texas for Stargate Project data centers

OpenAI’s Stargate project has broadened its horizons as it looks beyond Texas and across the US for sites to build a network of data centers.

The Lone Star State is the flagship location, but the team is now reportedly looking across 16 different states to accelerate the program.

On January 21, the joint venture was first announced which is a separate company involving some major giants within the industry. The intention is to invest $500 billion over the next four years in building new AI infrastructure for OpenAI in the States, with $100 billion to be deployed immediately.

Announcing The Stargate Project

The Stargate Project is a new company which intends to invest $500 billion over the next four years building new AI infrastructure for OpenAI in the United States. We will begin deploying $100 billion immediately. This infrastructure will secure…

— OpenAI (@OpenAI) January 21, 2025

The ChatGPT company and SoftBank are the lead partners on the project, with SoftBank having financial responsibility and OpenAI taking on the operational responsibility.

Some of the states reported as being looked at include Arizona, California, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.

President Donald Trump has shown his support as he called it a “resounding declaration of confidence in America’s potential.” This comes after the first project based in Abilene, Texas, has been under construction for a number of months.

According to AP News, OpenAI’s vice president of global affairs, Chris Lehane, told reporters on Thursday (February 6) that a number of states have reached out to them about welcoming additional data centers following Trump’s statement.

The company is also reported to be requesting sites with “proximity to necessary infrastructure including power and water.” The area in Texas, where the project is beginning, is said to be rich in multiple energy sources including wind, solar, and gas.

A form has been created on the OpenAI website which states how the company specifically wants to “connect with firms across the built data center infrastructure landscape, from power and land to construction to equipment, and everything in between.”

Keith Heyde, who directs OpenAI’s infrastructure strategy, is reported as saying: “There’s some sites we’re looking at where we want to help be part of the process that brings new power to that site, either from new gas deployment or other means.”

Featured Image: AI-generated via Ideogram

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