OpenAI has officially launched its significant Stargate AI data center in Abilene, Texas, and is planning two more facilities in the state. Announced Tuesday, this expansion is part of a $500 billion infrastructure project supported by Oracle and SoftBank, which includes five new data centers across the U.S., with upcoming sites in Shackelford County, Milam County, Doña Ana County in New Mexico, Lordstown, Ohio, and one undisclosed location in the Midwest.
The Abilene site features an expansive complex of eight H-shaped buildings designed to accommodate over 60,000 server racks powered by Nvidia GB200 chips for extensive AI training. Oracle’s executives project this initiative will create the largest “AI supercluster” globally. The project is a significant economic boon, with over 6,000 construction workers involved daily and an expected 1,700 permanent jobs upon completion, alongside numerous indirect employment opportunities in the region.
Abilene’s Mayor Weldon Hurt hailed the project as transformative for the town known for its railroad and agricultural history. However, there are concerns about the environmental impact, as the center’s operations will require around 900 megawatts of electricity and may stress water resources in the region, where reservoirs are only half full. During a tour of the site, Senator Ted Cruz highlighted Texas as “ground zero for AI,” emphasizing the need for abundant, cost-effective energy. The sustainability of the necessary resources remains an open question.