OpenAI wants its biggest data center yet, and Nvidia would back the bill

2026-06-10 · Source: The Decoder · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Cloud Computing & IT Infrastructure · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, quick

Summary

OpenAI is reportedly negotiating a 20-year lease for a massive 10-gigawatt data center in southern Ohio. Nvidia could provide financial backing, serving as a guarantor for both the lease and project financing. Developed by SB Energy, majority-owned by OpenAI investor SoftBank, this project is on federal land. It is projected to cost at least \$500 billion at full buildout. The first phase, an 800-megawatt facility, is anticipated by 2028. This initiative mirrors the previously stalled Stargate project from January 2025. The scale of Nvidia's potential financial guarantee represents new territory for the chipmaker. This development follows OpenAI's confidential IPO filing on Monday, June 10, 2026, as reported by The Information.

Key takeaway

For investors tracking AI infrastructure and market consolidation, OpenAI's pursuit of a \$500 billion, 10-gigawatt data center signals a new era of capital intensity. Nvidia potentially guaranteeing this project underscores strategic dependencies. This massive commitment, alongside OpenAI's recent IPO filing, suggests significant long-term infrastructure costs. Evaluate your investment theses for AI companies based on their ability to secure large-scale, long-term compute resources and strategic partnerships.

Key insights

OpenAI seeks a massive, Nvidia-backed 10-gigawatt data center, signaling unprecedented AI infrastructure investment and strategic partnerships.

Topics

• OpenAI
• NVIDIA
• AI Infrastructure
• Data Centers
• Project Financing
• IPO

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by The Decoder.