OpenAI and Anthropic have both shifted their data center hunt toward smaller sites in the 20 to 30 MW range, sources told CNBC on September 18, 2026. Instead of waiting years for gigawatt campuses to come online, the two labs are signing a string of smaller leases to bring AI capacity live sooner. The move signals that deployment speed, not raw scale, is now the deciding factor in the compute race.
⚡ Fast Takeaways:
- Core Update: Both labs are now pursuing multiple 20 to 30 MW data center deals rather than single mega-projects.
- Key Metrics / Specs: A 20 to 30 MW site powers a fraction of a gigawatt campus, but it can go live in months, not years.
- Why It Matters: Smaller footprints cut grid strain, land costs, and permitting friction, which speeds up model training and inference rollouts.
- Access & Availability: Deals are still in negotiation as of the September 18 report, so no public pricing or capacity commitments yet.