Eseandre Mordi
⬤ OpenAI is pushing forward with a major AI compute facility in the United Arab Emirates, and the scale is impressive. Information from SemiAnalysis reveals the site—dubbed "Stargate"—is being built to handle massive AI workloads. This expansion shows OpenAI's commitment to building one of the world's largest AI-focused computing operations, even as debates continue about where AI model development is headed.
⬤ The UAE Stargate facility will run on four 340MW AE94.3 gas turbines from Ansaldo Energia, installed directly on-site to power AI operations. In the desert heat, these turbines are expected to deliver around 1GW of usable capacity, down from a theoretical peak of 1.3GW due to temperature-related efficiency losses. Phase 1 targeting 200MW is expected by late 2026, with satellite images and ground photos already showing significant construction progress and infrastructure installation.
⬤ What sets the UAE project apart from other OpenAI locations is the on-site power generation, which solves capacity constraints that have reportedly slowed other deployments. By placing major power assets right next to computing infrastructure, Stargate ensures a stable, continuous energy supply—critical as AI training and deployment demands keep climbing across the industry.
⬤ The UAE compute hub demonstrates how quickly AI infrastructure is evolving toward power-intensive, purpose-built facilities that go beyond traditional data centers. With power consumption becoming the biggest bottleneck for AI expansion, securing dedicated energy capacity is now essential for anyone building large-scale AI platforms.
Eseandre Mordi
