Trump Administration Unveils 10-Gigawatt AI Data Hub at Former Ohio Uranium Site
The U.S. Department of Energy has announced a landmark public-private partnership to develop a colossal artificial intelligence data center and power complex at a former uranium enrichment facility in southern Ohio. This initiative, branded as the "PORTS Technology Campus," marks a significant push to advance commercial AI technology through dedicated infrastructure.
Massive Scale and Power Generation
According to the Department of Energy, the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Pike County will be transformed into a site featuring a 10-gigawatt data center alongside up to 10 gigawatts of new power generation. The power component includes 9.2 gigawatts of natural gas generation, ensuring a robust and reliable energy supply for the electricity-intensive operations.
This project aligns with President Donald Trump's recent call for technology companies to develop their own power generation alongside data centers. Officials confirmed that the Ohio venture will incorporate both on-site and grid-connected power generation, supported by billions of dollars in transmission upgrades.
Strategic Partnerships and Funding
Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum visited Piketon for the announcement, joined by representatives from SoftBank Group and its affiliate SB Energy. The Department of Energy stated that SoftBank, through SB Energy, is collaborating with AEP Ohio to construct the power generation and transmission infrastructure.
A key aspect of this partnership is a $4.2 billion investment in grid upgrades and new transmission lines, which the companies assert will not increase customer rates. The project is part of the U.S.-Japan Strategic Trade and Investment Agreement announced by Trump last year, with $33.3 billion in Japanese funding tied to the natural gas generation component.
Broader Implications and Opposition
In a statement, Energy Secretary Wright emphasized that the project would "add power generation, create jobs, and ensure the United States wins the AI race." Commerce Secretary Lutnick described it as part of a wider effort to "reindustrialize the country" through large-scale energy and infrastructure projects.
However, the announcement comes amid growing opposition. Recently, a group of rural Ohio residents filed a petition to place a constitutional ban on mega data centers on the statewide ballot, citing concerns over environmental, financial, and societal costs. Ohio currently ranks fifth in the nation for data centers, with approximately 200 sites, including projects by major tech firms like Google, Amazon Web Services, and Meta.
AI Infrastructure and Future Prospects
SoftBank is also involved in Stargate, an AI infrastructure initiative with OpenAI and Oracle aimed at expanding large-scale U.S. data center capacity to support AI, with potential investments reaching $500 billion. Last fall, these companies indicated that a Midwest site would be part of their collaboration.
The Department of Energy expects construction on the Portsmouth project to commence this year, creating thousands of jobs and supporting research in fusion energy, quantum computing, and national security applications. Additionally, excess power capacity generated at the site will be fed back into the grid to help lower regional electricity costs.
This development underscores the Trump administration's focus on leveraging former industrial sites for cutting-edge technology, while navigating challenges related to energy demands and local community concerns.
