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Last Update: 10/27/2026 at 5:01 AM EST
Project Camellia Data Center
Coverage from The Current, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and others
Project Camellia is OpenAI’s planned data-center campus at the Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub in Effingham County, Georgia.
Its development involves a proposed 3.2-gigawatt power supply from Georgia Power, county and state reviews, and plans for closed-loop cooling. Residents and environmental advocates have raised questions about transparency, water, noise, and potential effects on utility costs, while project representatives and local officials have pointed to jobs, tax revenue, and community investments. The project brings infrastructure, environmental review, local decision-making, and promised economic benefits into a single consequential local development.
Looking Back
75 Day Timeline
Jul 22
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All Articles42 articles
Important
OpenAI is planning a 3.2-gigawatt dry-cooled data center in Effingham County, Georgia, with indirect power-plant water consumption potentially reaching 8 billion gallons annually.
9/1/2026 • Water & Cooling • General
Effingham County, Georgia filed a DRI submission for OpenAI's Project Camellia data center at the Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub, while water and energy details remain incomplete pending state feedback.
7/25/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
OpenAI and Effingham County officials proposed a $20 billion data center campus near Rincon, Georgia, prompting July 23 protests and additional state and local reviews.
8/2/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
OpenAI advanced Project Camellia on July 22 in Effingham County, Georgia, through development and regulatory processes that residents said limited public participation.
7/28/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Effingham County Manager Tim Callanan briefed residents on OpenAI's proposed $20 billion data center near Rincon, Georgia, including closed-loop cooling, surface water use, and 2026-2028 timelines.
7/24/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
On July 21, the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority approved an agreement for OpenAI's $20 billion data-center project near Rincon, Georgia.
8/8/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
OpenAI held a July 23 listening meeting in Effingham County, Georgia, as residents opposed a planned $20 billion Rincon data center over environmental, water, traffic, and cost concerns.
7/24/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Effingham County residents Larry Holloway and Scott Gordy challenged Commissioner Roger Burdette at an OpenAI open house in Rincon on July 23 over a planned $20 billion data center.
7/24/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
OpenAI submitted Effingham County’s Development of Regional Impact for Project Camellia in Georgia while Georgia Power plans staged energy supply and flexible demand response starting in 2028.
7/22/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
OpenAI's planned $20 billion Project Camellia in Effingham County, Georgia, cleared initial Industrial Development Authority hurdles while municipal and state reviews remain pending.
8/8/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Savannah-area residents asked the Georgia Public Service Commission to explain Georgia Power's OpenAI data center contract and potential electricity costs during a public meeting in Savannah.
9/16/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Georgia's Public Service Commission strengthened Georgia Power's contract with OpenAI for the proposed Project Camellia data center in Effingham County, requiring OpenAI to cover service costs and termination risks.
9/12/2026 • Power Procurement & Grid • General
OpenAI's proposed Project Camellia data center in Effingham County, Georgia, faces resident and political scrutiny after regulators approved a 3.2-gigawatt Georgia Power supply contract.
9/7/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Georgia's Public Service Commission is reviewing Georgia Power's proposed contract for OpenAI's Project Camellia data center campus in Effingham County near Savannah.
8/17/2026 • Power Procurement & Grid • General
Effingham County officials and residents toured Meta's Stanton Springs data center campus in Social Circle, Georgia, last week to evaluate electricity, water, tax, noise, and siting concerns surrounding OpenAI's proposed Effingham County project.
8/10/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
OpenAI’s Project Camellia in Savannah-area Georgia will seek up to 3,200 MW from Georgia Power and use closed-loop cooling amid community protests and ratepayer-cost disputes.
7/25/2026 • Power Procurement & Grid • General
OpenAI held a community open house for Project Camellia in Rincon, Georgia, after Effingham County selected a Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub site for a multi-building data center.
7/24/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
OpenAI announced Project Camellia in Effingham County, Georgia, aiming for up to 3.2 GW phased power from 2028 to 2032 with Georgia Power demand response and closed-loop water.
7/24/2026 • Power Procurement & Grid • General
OpenAI’s Project Camellia announcement in Effingham County, Georgia, drew over 100 protesters after residents questioned power, water, and environmental impacts at an open house.
7/24/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
OpenAI announced Project Camellia for Effingham County, Georgia, using Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub and Georgia Power contracting to support 3,200 MW load.
7/22/2026 • Power Procurement & Grid • General
OpenAI plans Project Camelia in Effingham County, Georgia, contracting 3.2GW from Georgia Power for 2028-2032 with closed-loop cooling.
7/22/2026 • Power Procurement & Grid • General
OpenAI announced a phased 3.2 GW data center near Savannah, Georgia from 2028 to 2032, with closed-loop cooling and $80M local benefits amid Effingham County review.
7/22/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Interesting
OpenAI and Effingham County officials approved a five-phase data center project on July 21, 2026, near Rincon, Georgia, after confidential negotiations involving Georgia Power.
8/10/2026 • Project Finance & Incentives • General
OpenAI plans a $20 billion data center in Effingham County, Georgia, that officials say could create nearly 1,000 construction jobs and increase local revenue.
7/31/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Effingham County residents are challenging OpenAI's planned Project Camellia data center near Rincon, Georgia, over potential noise affecting nearby homes and schools.
9/7/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
OpenAI and Effingham County officials held a Thursday community event in Rincon, Georgia, as residents questioned infrastructure, environmental impacts, and public oversight for Project Camellia.
8/17/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
OpenAI plans a phased 3.2-gigawatt data center campus beginning operations as early as 2028 in Rincon, Georgia, as projects in nearby South Carolina face local review and opposition.
10/4/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Effingham County residents challenged OpenAI's proposed 3.2-gigawatt data center at a Saturday workshop in Springfield, prompting county commissioners to investigate safety and infrastructure concerns.
8/29/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
The Georgia Public Service Commission approved a binding Georgia Power contract with OpenAI for Project Camellia, requiring support for a 3.1-gigawatt campus in Georgia.
8/30/2026 • Power Procurement & Grid • General
Effingham County, Georgia, residents opposed OpenAI's planned data center at a Saturday public meeting after Senator Raphael Warnock criticized limited project transparency and officials reviewed infrastructure needs.
8/29/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Georgia's Public Service Commission approved Georgia Power's contract with OpenAI to develop 3.2GW of generation for Project Camelia in Effingham County, with deliveries expected from 2028 through 2032.
8/27/2026 • Power Procurement & Grid • General
OpenAI, Georgia Power, and Effingham County announced July 22 a planned $20 billion, three-phase data center near Rincon, Georgia, supported by a 15-year property-tax discount.
8/9/2026 • Project Finance & Incentives • General
Effingham County Manager Tim Callanan explained notice and permitting timing for OpenAI's proposed $20 billion data center campus in Savannah Gateway Industrial Park after local protests.
7/25/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
OpenAI held a July 23 public open house in Effingham County, Georgia, for Project Camellia after announcing a $20 billion data center campus.
7/23/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Effingham County, Georgia, residents protested OpenAI's proposed Project Camellia in Springfield on Saturday as commissioners reviewed concerns about water, power, noise, emergency services, and transparency.
8/30/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
OpenAI announced Project Camellia, a 3.2 gigawatt data center planned for Rincon, Georgia, with up to 1,000 megawatts of demand response and closed-loop cooling.
7/24/2026 • Infrastructure & Site Development • General
OpenAI plans a $20 billion data center for Effingham County, Georgia, aiming for a 2028 opening after approvals, energy infrastructure funding, and a 15-year property-tax abatement.
7/22/2026 • Infrastructure & Site Development • General
OpenAI plans Project Camellia in Effingham County, Georgia, with a $20 billion campus, 50% tax abatement, 3.2 gigawatts power contracting, and closed-loop water plans.
7/22/2026 • Infrastructure & Site Development • General
Effingham County leaders and community organizations will hold a Monday Springfield town hall on OpenAI's proposed Project Camellia data center and its power, water, and community effects.
9/14/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Data center developers, including OpenAI, are pursuing rural southeast Georgia projects as communities near Statesboro, Metter, and Effingham County assess power benefits and environmental risks.
9/4/2026 • Infrastructure & Site Development • General
Additional
Georgia Power and Georgia Public Service Commission staff agreed in Georgia to protect residential customers from stranded costs linked to OpenAI's proposed Effingham County data center.
8/27/2026 • Policy & Utility Planning • General
Effingham County officials announced OpenAI will build a data center campus within Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub in Effingham County, Georgia, with a July 23 public open house.
7/23/2026 • Market Demand & Investment • General