OpenAI, SoftBank and Oracle have announced the addition of five new large-scale data center sites across Texas, Ohio, New Mexico and the broader Midwest, advancing the ambitious Stargate initiative well ahead of projections. The expansion brings the total pipeline to nearly 7 gigawatts of planned capacity and pushes cumulative investment above $400 billion, according to a September 23 announcement.
Initially targeting $500 billion and 10 gigawatts by the end of 2025, the initiative is now positioned to meet — and potentially exceed — those goals. Over 300 sites have already been proposed for consideration since January, underscoring the massive appetite for AI-driven infrastructure.
The buildout is closely aligned with federal efforts to streamline project approvals and support large-scale energy generation. The Trump administration has emphasized policy measures to fast-track permitting and expand grid capacity for AI infrastructure, a pivotal factor in accelerating these deployments.
“AI can only fulfill its promise if we build the compute to power it,” said Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, in the release. “We’re already making historic progress.”
Oracle has emphasized the speed and scale at which the organization is moving. Oracle CEO Clay Magouyrk stated that the company is expanding its cloud infrastructure footprint “at an unrivaled pace,” reflecting the pressing demand for AI compute across sectors.
Each of the new sites is strategically positioned to maximize grid access, speed-to-market, and scalable infrastructure:
Developed with SB Energy, a SoftBank Group subsidiary, this site will feature rapid-deployment powered infrastructure tailored to fast-build data center construction.
A collaboration with Oracle, this project adds another major presence in a state already emerging as the epicenter of AI data infrastructure.
SoftBank and OpenAI have begun construction on an advanced facility expected to go live next year, signaling how quickly these projects are moving from approval to operation.
Although specific locations have not been publicly named, these sites are part of the five newly confirmed additions and are expected to support regional load balancing and future AI compute networks.
These facilities will complement the flagship Stargate campus in Abilene, Texas, which has already come online and delivered its first Nvidia GB200 racks in June. The Abilene site is considered a model for the phased rollout of AI-ready infrastructure across the country.
The rapid expansion of Stargate has major implications for the construction, engineering, utility, and technology sectors. AI infrastructure is driving one of the largest capital deployments in recent history, and contractors are already seeing bidding opportunities accelerate.
The scale of work involves:
The momentum also signals a significant long-term market shift. With the five new sites underway and hundreds more pending review, states with abundant land, workforce capacity, and power access — especially Texas — are set to become hubs for AI infrastructure investment.
As Altman emphasized, “We’re already making historic progress,” capturing the speed and scale at which the sector is evolving.
Originally reported by Sebastian Obando in Construction Dive.
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