OpenAI’s $850 billion buildout contends with grid limits

AI Investment & Spending - AI investment boom is driven by companies investing in each other, creating a circular flow of hundreds of billions of dollars primarily benefiting a few big tech firms [1][11] - OpenAI's projects alone account for roughly $850 billion in spending, nearly half of the $2 trillion global AI infrastructure spend predicted by HSBC [2] - The AI sector's electricity consumption is staggering, with OpenAI's commitments in less than 48 hours equaling the output of 17 new nuclear power plants or about nine Hoover dams [3] Power & Infrastructure Concerns - The US grid is already strained, and new gas turbines are sold out through 2028, posing challenges for the power demands of AI development [7] - OpenAI has scouted over 800 sites across North America, considering nuclear, wind, and solar power, but the actual buildout faces significant uncertainties [10] - Nvidia and OpenAI's plans alone could consume 16% of the US's expected 63 gigawatt capacity addition this year [13] OpenAI's Perspective & Future Plans - OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is heavily invested in nuclear energy, backing both fusion and fission companies, and advocates for building more nuclear plants [5][6] - OpenAI is targeting $130 billion in revenue by 2030, a significant increase from $13 billion this year, with spending meant to scale alongside revenue [14] - OpenAI's CFO believes that a rising tide lifts all ships, indicating that the growth of the AI economy benefits everyone involved [12]