Why did OpenAI sign a 20-year data centre lease?

OpenAI signed the lease to secure 4.25 gigawatts of initial AI computing capacity at the PORTS-Pike campus in Ohio.

How much AI capacity will OpenAI receive?

OpenAI will initially lease 4.25 gigawatts of capacity, while the campus could eventually reach 8 gigawatts.

Nvidia has capped its combined guarantee obligations at $105 billion for the initial 4.25-gigawatt commitment.

Nvidia will invest $1.5 billion in SB Energy, which will build, own and operate the Ohio data centre.

OpenAI’s initial capacity at the Ohio campus is expected to become available in phases beginning in 2028.

Image for illustrative purposes only. Not a real photo.

Written by Liezl GambePublished Aug 18, 2026, 3:23 AM

OpenAI signed a 20-year lease for 4.25 gigawatts of initial AI capacity in Ohio.
Nvidia will provide up to $105 billion in guarantees and invest $1.5 billion in SB Energy.
The site could eventually reach 8 gigawatts of AI capacity, with operations starting in 2028.

OpenAI has signed a 20-year lease for 4.25 gigawatts of AI capacity at an Ohio data centre.

The PORTS-Pike campus will be built, owned and operated by SB Energy in Pike County, Ohio.

Nvidia will provide the site’s AI systems and act as its exclusive AI compute provider under the agreement.

Nvidia’s guarantee obligations will total no more than $105 billion, while OpenAI remains responsible for lease payments.

The campus could reach 8 gigawatts of AI capacity, while SB Energy and SoftBank plan at least 10 gigawatts of new power generation.

Following the announcement, Nvidia’s share price was unchanged at about $227.27, while initial data centre capacity is expected from 2028.