Federal Officials Unveil Massive AI Data Center at Former Ohio Nuclear Site

The Trump administration announced plans for a massive artificial intelligence data center at a former uranium enrichment facility in southern Ohio. The project will include 10 gigawatts of data processing capacity and new natural gas power plants, backed by $33.3 billion in Japanese investment.

PIKETON, Ohio — Federal officials on Friday revealed plans for a massive artificial intelligence data center at a shuttered nuclear facility in southern Ohio, marking a significant step in the administration’s push to expand AI infrastructure across the country.

The former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Pike County will be transformed into what’s being called the “PORTS Technology Campus,” featuring 10 gigawatts of data processing capability alongside new power generation facilities totaling up to 10 gigawatts, including 9.2 gigawatts from natural gas plants, according to Department of Energy officials.

The decommissioned uranium enrichment facility was among 16 federal properties identified last year as potential locations where the energy department could invite technology firms to establish data management and storage operations.

President Trump recently met with technology executives at the White House, urging them to develop dedicated power sources for their energy-demanding facilities. The Ohio initiative incorporates both on-site power generation and grid connectivity, plus billions in transmission infrastructure improvements, officials stated.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum traveled to Piketon Friday to announce the initiative, joined by representatives from SoftBank Group, a Japanese investment firm, and its subsidiary SB Energy.

Through SB Energy, SoftBank will collaborate with AEP Ohio to construct the power generation and transmission systems, including a $4.2 billion investment in grid improvements and new transmission infrastructure that won’t increase customer electricity bills, according to the companies.

The energy department described the project as part of the U.S.-Japan Strategic Trade and Investment Agreement that Trump announced previously. Officials said the plan involves $33.3 billion in Japanese financing connected to the natural gas power component.

Wright stated the project would “add power generation, create jobs, and ensure the United States wins the AI race,” while Lutnick characterized it as part of broader efforts to “reindustrialize the country” through major energy and infrastructure developments.

The announcement comes just days after rural Ohio residents submitted a petition seeking to place a constitutional prohibition on mega data centers on the state ballot, reflecting growing opposition over environmental, economic and social impacts of AI infrastructure.

Ohio currently holds the fifth position nationally for data center facilities, hosting approximately 200 locations, according to the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, which advocates for utility customers. Major technology companies including Google, Amazon Web Services and Meta operate projects there.

SoftBank is working with OpenAI and Oracle on Stargate, an AI infrastructure program designed to expand large-scale U.S. data center capacity for artificial intelligence applications, potentially involving $500 billion in investment. Last autumn, the three companies indicated a Midwest location would be included in their collaboration.

Construction on the Portsmouth facility is scheduled to commence this year and will generate thousands of employment opportunities while supporting research in fusion energy, quantum computing and national security technologies, energy department officials said. They also noted that surplus power produced at the location would be returned to the electrical grid to help reduce regional electricity costs.