PIKETON, Ohio – In a significant development for both the energy and technology sectors, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a public-private partnership aimed at establishing a major data center on the site of the decommissioned Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant in southern Ohio. This initiative is poised to enhance the commercial viability of artificial intelligence technology in the United States.
Branded as the “PORTS Technology Campus,” the project is set to feature a 10-gigawatt data center and a corresponding 10 gigawatts of new power generation capabilities, which will include 9.2 gigawatts generated from natural gas. This ambitious venture aligns with the DOE’s focus on supporting the burgeoning AI sector through robust infrastructure development.
The Portsmouth site was one of 16 federal locations identified by the DOE in a strategic effort to invite technology companies to expand their data management and storage capacities. This initiative gained momentum recently when President Donald Trump convened tech leaders at the White House, urging them to develop independent power generation solutions for their energy-intensive operations.
During the announcement, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, alongside executives from SoftBank Group and its affiliate SB Energy, underscored the project’s potential. The partnership is set to construct the necessary power generation and transmission infrastructure, backed by a significant $4.2 billion investment aimed at grid upgrades that will not increase customer rates.
This initiative is a vital component of the U.S.-Japan Strategic Trade and Investment Agreement announced last year, with the DOE reporting a substantial $33.3 billion in Japanese funding linked to the natural gas generation aspect of the project.
Wright emphasized that this project is not just about power generation and job creation; it is also a critical step in ensuring the United States maintains its competitive edge in the AI arena. Lutnick echoed this sentiment, framing the initiative as part of a larger endeavor to reindustrialize the nation through extensive energy and infrastructure projects.
However, the project has sparked controversy among local residents. Recently, a group of rural Ohioans filed a petition to place a constitutional ban on mega data centers on the statewide ballot, voicing concerns over the environmental, financial, and societal implications associated with the proliferation of AI technology.
Ohio currently ranks fifth in the nation for data centers, boasting approximately 200 sites, including operations by major tech companies such as Google, Amazon Web Services, and Meta. This growth reflects a broader trend of technological expansion in the region.
In addition to this project, SoftBank is collaborating with OpenAI and Oracle on an artificial intelligence infrastructure initiative dubbed Stargate. This partnership aims to enhance large-scale U.S. data center capacity, with potential investments reaching up to $500 billion. Plans for a Midwest site have already been announced as part of this initiative.
Construction on the Portsmouth project is anticipated to commence this year, with officials projecting the creation of thousands of jobs and advancements in research areas such as fusion energy, quantum computing, and national security applications. Furthermore, any excess power generated on-site is expected to be redirected back into the grid, contributing to lower electricity costs for the surrounding communities.
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Carr Smyth reported from Columbus. AP journalist Leah Willingham contributed from Boston. The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters, and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
