Nvidia Guarantees Up to $105 Billion for OpenAI's Ohio Data Center
Nvidia has agreed to provide up to $105 billion in financial guarantees for a massive OpenAI data center in Ohio developed by SoftBank's SB Energy, while also investing $1.5 billion in the developer. This follows a previous $1 billion joint investment in SB Energy by OpenAI and SoftBank to expand data center infrastructure. This massive commitment highlights the unprecedented scale of capital required for AI infrastructure and secures Nvidia's position as the exclusive chip supplier for the project. However, it also intensifies scrutiny over potential "circular financing" practices where chipmakers fund their own customers' infrastructure to drive demand. The Ohio facility will have a total capacity of up to 8 GW, with OpenAI leasing it for 20 years and Nvidia's guarantee covering only a portion of lease and power costs to ensure a minimum project value. To support the project, SoftBank and SB Energy plan to build at least 10 GW of new power generation and invest $4.2 billion in regional grid infrastructure.
## BACKGROUND
Modern AI models require massive computing power, leading to the creation of "AI factories"—specialized data centers designed to manage the entire AI lifecycle. Building these facilities requires immense capital, land, and electricity, prompting Nvidia to recently partner with major financial institutions like BlackRock to establish a $500 billion AI infrastructure financing platform.