OpenAI announced a $25 billion data center construction project in Argentina, representing a major new infrastructure investment for large-scale AI model training and inference.
OpenAI and Argentina's Sur Energy are partnering on a $25 billion artificial intelligence data center project that will reshape the country's technology landscape. The "Stargate Argentina" initiative features a 500-megawatt facility dedicated to advanced AI computing, structured under Argentina's RIGI (Incentive Regime for Large Investments)—a program designed to attract large-scale international investments.
President Javier Milei officially unveiled the plan at the Casa Rosada, where representatives from OpenAI and executives from Sur Energy were hosted. According to the President's statement, Stargate Argentina is "a pioneering Artificial Intelligence infrastructure project that will position Argentina at the forefront of the global artificial intelligence ecosystem." The Argentine government characterized the project as a potential "one of the largest technology and energy infrastructure initiatives in Argentina's history."
The data center will be located in Patagonia, a region known for its vast open land and renewable energy potential. While an exact construction timeline has not been disclosed, local reports suggest work could begin next year, with an initial 100-megawatt phase expected around 2027.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman confirmed the plans on social media, stating: "We are proud to announce plans to launch Stargate Argentina, an exciting new infrastructure project in partnership with one of the country's leading energy companies, Sur Energy." He added that this will be the first Stargate project in Latin America, describing the region as "full of talent, creativity and ambition."
The project represents OpenAI's latest global infrastructure expansion following similar initiatives in the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and Norway. It comes amid Argentina's broader effort to attract foreign capital and establish itself as a regional hub for innovation. OpenAI, valued at $500 billion following a recent secondary share sale, is racing to meet the growing demand for computing power to support its AI models, including ChatGPT and Sora.
If fully realized, Stargate Argentina would represent both a technological leap and an economic boost for Argentina, potentially creating thousands of jobs and accelerating the nation's digital transformation.