OpenAI announced its Grid Protectors Program, a plan for future AI facilities to reduce electricity use during grid emergencies and periods of high demand. The company would negotiate with utilities over how much demand each facility could cut, how quickly and for how long; it has not disclosed binding reduction commitments for other facilities under the national program.
At its planned facility in Effingham County, Georgia, an approved 25-year agreement with Georgia Power covers about 3,200 megawatts of demand, with up to 1,000 megawatts available for temporary reductions. OpenAI must pay the full infrastructure costs needed to serve the facility. Power delivery is scheduled to start in 2028 and expand through 2032.
Georgia Power projects about $950 million in annual customer savings starting in 2029, but that forecast covers its broader portfolio of large customers and expected growth, not just OpenAI’s project. The Georgia facility remains under development, and the savings are projections.
