Massive AI Data Centre Planned for Decommissioned Uranium Plant in Southern Ohio
The United States Department of Energy has announced a significant public-private partnership aimed at developing a colossal data centre, complete with its own dedicated power supply, on the site of a former uranium enrichment plant in southern Ohio. This ambitious project underscores the nation’s drive to commercialise and advance artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
The facility, situated at the decommissioned Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Pike County, is being rebranded as the “PORTS Technology Campus.” The plans are substantial, envisioning a data centre with a capacity of 10 gigawatts (GW). Crucially, this will be supported by up to 10 GW of new power generation, with a significant portion, 9.2 GW, to be fuelled by natural gas. This development comes in the wake of a national push for technology companies to invest in their own power infrastructure to meet the immense energy demands of AI.
This Ohio project isn’t just about on-site power; it also incorporates grid-connected generation and substantial investments in transmission infrastructure. Earlier this year, President Donald Trump convened a meeting with tech leaders, urging them to commit to developing independent power sources for their energy-intensive operations.
The announcement was marked by a visit to Piketon by key government figures, including Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. They were joined by representatives from SoftBank Group, a prominent Japanese investment management company, and its affiliate, SB Energy.
A Strategic Partnership for Power and Infrastructure
According to the Department of Energy, SoftBank, through SB Energy, is collaborating with AEP Ohio to establish the necessary power generation and transmission infrastructure. This partnership includes a staggering $4.2 billion investment dedicated to upgrading the existing electricity grid and constructing new transmission lines. The companies involved have assured that these upgrades will not result in increased costs for consumers.
This initiative is a cornerstone of the U.S.-Japan Strategic Trade and Investment Agreement, first announced by President Trump last year. The Department of Energy has highlighted that this agreement involves a substantial $33.3 billion in Japanese funding specifically earmarked for the natural gas generation component of the project.
Economic and Technological Implications
Energy Secretary Chris Wright articulated the project’s multifaceted benefits, stating it would “add power generation, create jobs, and ensure the United States wins the AI race.” Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick framed the development within a broader agenda to “reindustrialise the country” through large-scale energy and infrastructure investments.
The timing of this announcement is notable, occurring just days after a group of rural Ohio residents initiated a petition to place a constitutional ban on mega data centres on the statewide ballot. This move reflects a growing concern among some communities regarding the environmental, financial, and societal impacts associated with the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure.
Ohio currently holds the fifth position nationally in terms of data centre presence, with approximately 200 sites, according to the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel. Major tech players like Google, Amazon Web Services, and Meta already have a significant footprint in the state.
Broader AI Infrastructure Initiatives
SoftBank’s involvement extends beyond the Ohio project. The company is also a key partner in “Stargate,” an artificial intelligence infrastructure initiative alongside OpenAI and Oracle. This ambitious venture aims to build out large-scale U.S. data centre capacity to support AI development, with a potential investment of up to $500 billion. Last autumn, the three companies indicated that a Midwest location would be integral to their partnership.
Construction at the Portsmouth project is slated to commence this year. The Department of Energy anticipates that the development will generate thousands of jobs and provide crucial support for research in cutting-edge fields such as fusion energy, quantum computing, and national security applications. Furthermore, any surplus power generated at the site will be fed back into the regional grid, potentially contributing to lower electricity costs for the area.
