DOE Reveals 10-Gigawatt Gas-Powered Ohio Data Centre Plan

The U.S. Department of Energy announced a new partnership on Friday to build a major data centre in Piketon, Ohio. This project is part of the push for artificial intelligence technology development.

The site, once a uranium enrichment plant, is now called the “PORTS Technology Campus.” It will house a data centre capable of handling 10 gigawatts of data, along with new power generation facilities, including 9.2 gigawatts from natural gas.

Earlier in March, President Donald Trump invited technology companies to the White House, urging them to create their own power sources at their data-intensive sites. The Piketon project aims to connect power generation both on-site and to the wider power grid, requiring significant upgrades to power transmission infrastructure.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright and other officials visited the site to discuss the plan. They confirmed that SoftBank Group, through its SB Energy branch, will partner with AEP Ohio. They plan to invest $4.2 billion in updating the power grid without increasing costs for customers.

While the project promises job creation and energy improvements, there is local opposition. A group of Ohio residents has filed a petition to restrict mega data centres due to concerns about environmental and social impacts. Construction of the new data centre is expected to start this year, creating thousands of jobs and supporting research in various fields.

How much do you know?

What is the location of the new data centre announced by the U.S. Department of Energy?

Piketon, Ohio

Columbus, Ohio

Cleveland, Ohio

Dayton, Ohio

What was the site of the new data centre originally used for?

Coal mining

Uranium enrichment

Power generation

Natural gas extraction

How much power can the new data centre handle?

5 gigawatts

10 gigawatts

15 gigawatts

20 gigawatts

Who invited technology companies to the White House in March?

Joe Biden

Barack Obama

Donald Trump

George W. Bush

What is the investment amount planned for updating the power grid?

$2 billion

$3 billion

$4.2 billion

$5 billion

Which company is partnering with AEP Ohio for the Piketon project?

Google

Amazon

SoftBank Group

Microsoft

The Piketon project aims to create connections to the wider power grid.

True False

The new data centre is expected to handle 5 gigawatts of data.

True False

Energy Secretary Chris Wright visited the site to discuss the plan.

True False

Local residents fully support the construction of the new data centre.

True False

The construction of the new data centre is expected to start next year.

True False

SoftBank Group's investment will increase costs for customers.

True False

The new data centre is part of a push for artificial intelligence technology .

Construction of the data centre is expected to start this .

The data centre will include new power generation facilities, including from natural gas.

A group of Ohio residents filed a petition to restrict mega data .

Energy Secretary Chris Wright visited the to discuss the plan.

The power grid upgrades aim to do so without increasing for customers.

This question is required