Nvidia Pledges $100 Billion for OpenAI Ohio Data Center

Nvidia has agreed to provide more than $100 billion to support a new OpenAI data center project in Ohio. The facility is expected to eventually reach 8 gigawatts of capacity, reflecting a broader industry shift where power infrastructure has replaced semiconductor chips as the primary bottleneck for artificial intelligence growth.

Data from the International Energy Agency shows that electricity use by AI-focused data centers surged 50% in 2025. Global demand is projected to reach approximately 950 terawatt-hours by 2030, driven by server power density that is expected to quadruple by 2027. This rapid growth has created a mismatch between capital spending and the time required to build power plants, leaving roughly 20% of planned data-center projects facing potential delays.

To bypass slow grid connections, developers are increasingly pursuing on-site gas generation. The International Energy Agency estimates that 15 to 27 gigawatts of such capacity will power U.S. data centers by 2030. This surge in demand is positioning utility companies and investment vehicles like the Vanguard Utilities ETF for potential earnings growth, though regulatory restrictions on capital returns and local public opposition to data center construction remain significant risks.