OpenAI Launches Grid Protectors Program: Future Compute Campuses Will Cut Power When Grids Are Strained, Starting With Up to 1,000 MW in Georgia
On November 2, OpenAI announced the Grid Protectors Program on its official blog: working with utilities and regulators so its future self-built compute campuses (its new term for data centers) cut electricity use when the grid is strained, while paying the full infrastructure and electric-service costs. The pilot is the planned campus in Effingham County, Georgia (Project Camellia), which Georgia Power says needs about 3,200 MW and commits up to 1,000 MW of flexible demand response, equal per OpenAI to the average use of roughly 700,000 households. The campus is still in development.

Key Takeaways
- The Effingham campus (Project Camellia) needs about 3,200 MW, and Georgia Power can cut up to 1,000 MW of supply to it during peaks under a 25-year agreement (Georgia Power figures).
- OpenAI says 1,000 MW equals the average demand of roughly 700,000 households, more than Washington, D.C., and Boston combined.
- Georgia Power projects about $950 million a year in customer savings from 2029 from its large-load portfolio including this project, at least $15 a month for a typical home.
- OpenAI commits to paying the full grid infrastructure and electric-service costs; terms for other campuses will be shared once finalized.
- OpenAI cites a projection that U.S. data center capacity will exceed 100 GW by 2030.








