SoftBank is making significant strides in the AI data landscape with plans for an enormous data center in Ohio, designed to harness up to 10 gigawatts of power. This ambitious facility will be established on federally owned land, specifically at a former uranium enrichment location, and is expected to generate about 800 megawatts of capacity during its first phase, anticipated to be operational by early 2028. The financial commitment for this project ranges between $30 billion and $40 billion, positioning it as one of the world's largest computing hubs.
As part of the infrastructure development, SoftBank is investing approximately $33 billion in natural gas power resources. Turbines are already procured and set to be implemented throughout the region by the end of the decade. Overall, the planned generation capacity will reach around 9.2 gigawatts, comparable to major power initiatives across the United States.
The scale of this development is a direct response to the increasing demand for AI infrastructure, driven by both tech giants and government entities striving to secure computing and energy resources. A data center with a capacity of 10 gigawatts will require energy equivalent to what millions of homes consume, which raises concerns regarding the stability of grids that are already under pressure from AI-driven demands.
This project is also linked to a wider $550 billion investment framework between the U.S. and Japan covering energy and industrial infrastructure, especially as policymakers aim to build domestic capabilities amid the global AI competition. While SoftBank has yet to name any specific customers for the facility, the company is collaborating with various partners for chip and equipment sourcing. In addition, approximately $4.2 billion has been allocated for enhancing grid infrastructure to meet the new demands.
However, this proposal has sparked conversations regarding the energy consumption associated with AI, as expansions in data centers have faced local backlash due to increasing electricity and water needs, despite governmental efforts to boost capacity to compete with other nations, particularly China, in advanced technologies.