OpenAI’s ambitious $100 billion Stargate project is set to build one of the world’s largest AI computing clusters, with the first data center in Abilene, Texas, designed to accommodate up to 400,000 Nvidia AI chips. The site, under development by Crusoe, will have 1.2 gigawatts of power capacity and is expected to be operational by mid-2026.
Oracle has reportedly committed to using the full Abilene facility for Stargate, with OpenAI planning to utilize 1 gigawatt of capacity. The project is part of a broader initiative to expand AI infrastructure across 10 locations in the U.S.
Tech giants are ramping up AI capacity, with Elon Musk’s xAI securing a $5 billion deal for AI servers and Meta targeting AI power equal to 600,000 Nvidia H100 chips by late 2024.
Crusoe CEO Chase Lochmiller noted the fast-tracked construction, which started in June 2023. Currently, 2,000 workers are on-site, with plans to scale up to 5,000. The complex will feature eight buildings, each capable of hosting 50,000 Nvidia GB200 chips.
The White House’s endorsement in January has accelerated momentum, with stakeholders pushing for larger and faster AI infrastructure projects.