SoftBank to Build 10 GW Data Center at Former Ohio Uranium Enrichment Site With $33.3 Billion in Japanese Funding
The U.S. Department of Energy announced a partnership with SoftBank subsidiary SB Energy to develop a 10 GW data center and matching power generation complex at the decommissioned Portsmouth uranium enrichment plant in Pike County, Ohio, backed by $33.3 billion in Japanese investment.
Overview
The U.S. Department of Energy announced on March 20, 2026, a public-private partnership with SB Energy, a SoftBank Group subsidiary, to build a 10 gigawatt data center campus at the decommissioned Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Pike County, Ohio. The project, rebranded as the PORTS Technology Campus, would transform a Cold War-era uranium enrichment facility into one of the largest AI compute installations ever proposed, backed by $33.3 billion in Japanese funding tied to a U.S.-Japan Strategic Trade and Investment Agreement.
Power Generation and Transmission
To supply the campus, SB Energy plans to construct at least 9.2 GW of new natural gas generation on site, along with a new interstate gas pipeline to feed the plants. The company has also partnered with AEP Ohio on a $4.2 billion transmission infrastructure package that includes new 765 kilovolt transmission lines and four substations. SB Energy has committed to funding the transmission upgrades entirely, shielding Ohio ratepayers from bearing those costs through their electricity bills.
The DOE said excess generation capacity would be made available to the regional grid, framing the arrangement as a net benefit for local consumers. Under the partnership terms, the data center operator would also temporarily reduce electricity use or provide backup power during grid emergencies.
Economic Impact
The project is expected to create over 10,000 construction jobs across four years and more than 2,000 permanent operational positions, with tens of thousands of additional indirect jobs in manufacturing and services. SB Energy has also committed to a $40 million Community Benefits Agreement for surrounding Ohio communities.
The announcement was made by Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. Wright stated that the project would add power generation, create jobs, and help the United States win the AI race. Lutnick described the initiative as part of broader efforts to reindustrialize the country.
Site History and Transformation
The Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant enriched uranium for national defense during the Cold War and has been undergoing decommissioning for years. Under the new arrangement, DOE will lease the land to an SB Energy-affiliated entity, and SB Energy has committed to funding accelerated cleanup and remediation at the site. The DOE also indicated the campus would support research in areas including fusion energy, quantum computing, and national security applications.
Context
The Portsmouth project represents the latest escalation in a global race to build AI compute infrastructure. Hyperscaler capital expenditure is projected to exceed $700 billion in 2026, with Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Meta collectively driving the surge. The Japanese funding component reflects broader geopolitical alignment, with Japan pledging $550 billion in total investment across the United States as part of the bilateral trade agreement. SoftBank, which leads the Stargate AI infrastructure initiative alongside OpenAI and Oracle, has positioned itself at the center of this buildout, having previously announced data center campuses in Texas and Michigan.
The 10 GW figure would dwarf any single data center development currently under construction. For comparison, Meta’s recently announced Indiana campus targets 1 GW, while the entire U.S. data center fleet consumed an estimated 35 GW in 2025. Construction at the Portsmouth site is expected to begin later this year.