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Part of A major data center project is developing in Ohio, with consideration of up to a $3 billion investment from SoftBank Group.

How could the planned data center project in Southern Ohio affect Bechtel?

Likely What happens if… A possibility worth considering, not a forecast.

Bechtel secures $33 billion contract for Ohio data center power Bechtel has been awarded a $33 billion contract to execute the power generation component of the massive data center project in Southern Ohio. This project, which is being developed by SB Energy, a SoftBank subsidiary, will fund 9.2 gigawatts of new natural gas generation on the former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant site. The development is part of a broader initiative to reindustrialize Southern Ohio and is expected to begin construction next year, with power generation coming online by the end of 2028 or 2029.

Reported by 1 independent outlet Written Friday
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The facts so far

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  • The project involves a $33 billion investment to fund 9.2 gigawatts of new natural gas generation.wcpo.com
  • The data center is slated to be leased to OpenAI and developed by SB Energy, a SoftBank subsidiary.wcpo.com
  • The power generation will be built on the former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant site in Southern Ohio.wcpo.com
  • Construction is expected to begin next year, with power generation coming online by the end of 2028 or 2029.wcpo.com

Why it matters

For Bechtel, securing a $33 billion contract for a major AI infrastructure project in Southern Ohio represents a significant and high-profile win in the construction and civil engineering sector. This contract positions the company at the center of the massive energy demands driven by the global expansion of AI hyperscale data centers.

This project is occurring amid strong local opposition, with a Bowling Green State University poll finding 75% of respondents would oppose data center construction in their local community. The project's scale—requiring about 320 times the power of the local limit—makes it a focal point for debates over environmental impact and local economic benefit.

What we don't know yet

  • Will the local opposition successfully influence the scope or timeline of the project?
  • What specific milestones and deliverables are tied to Bechtel's $33 billion contract?

What would change this answer

Local opposition groups successfully challenge the project's environmental permits or scopeThe project could face delays or require modifications to the 9.2 gigawatt power generation plan, potentially impacting Bechtel's timeline and scope.
The Trump administration accelerates the broader initiative to convert federal land into energy assetsThis could signal increased government support and funding for similar large-scale infrastructure projects, potentially leading to more contracts for Bechtel.

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The full eventOpenAI to Lease Multi-Gigawatt Data Center in Southern Ohio Everything aboutBechtel

Brind's analysis is written by AI from the reporting linked above and can be wrong. This explainer is a possibility worth considering, not a forecast: steps marked as Brind's reasoning are not stated in the reporting. It is not investment advice; do your own research.