OpenAI pledges to cut data center power use during grid emergencies

OpenAI's new Grid Protectors Program commits it to reduce electricity use at U.S. data center campuses it directly develops when extreme weather or other emergencies strain the grid. It takes national the deal at its planned Effingham County, Georgia campus, where OpenAI agreed to cut demand by up to a gigawatt, roughly the use of 700,000 homes, when the grid needs relief. OpenAI says it will work with utilities on how much, how fast and how long it can curtail at each campus, with details varying by site. Energy policy head John McCarrick told Axios the industry has moved away from insisting data centers stay up 99.999% of the time.