Data centers will come to Kentucky; EKPC is prepared

Kentucky is emerging as a hub for data center development, with East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) prepared to meet the needs of these facilities. Data centers will create jobs, investment, and tax revenue for local communities. EKPC has established a rate structure to ensure data centers cover the costs of any necessary power infrastructure upgrades, protecting existing cooperative members from financial risks. EKPC is in discussions with a Fortune 100 company about a potential data center site near its Spurlock Station power plant. Maintaining reliable power generation in Kentucky is crucial to attracting data centers and protecting residents from price volatility. If data centers locate in neighboring states, Kentucky consumers could still face transmission infrastructure costs, underscoring the importance of local control over energy development decisions.