AEP to upgrade for data center at A-Plant site
AEP Ohio plans significant power grid upgrades in Pike, Jackson, and Gallia counties to support a new data center campus at the former gaseous diffusion plant site in Piketon. This project requires regulatory approval from the Ohio Power Siting Board, which includes public engagement. The company is committed to funding the transmission investments to avoid rate increases for residents.
AEP Ohio has announced plans for a substantial upgrade to the power grid across Pike, Jackson, and Gallia counties in Ohio. The utility states that these enhancements are critical to accommodate a planned data center campus at the site of the former gaseous diffusion plant in Piketon.
The project is subject to regulatory approval from the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB), a process that mandates public engagement and outreach to residents within the affected areas. AEP Ohio emphasized that the data center customer will cover the costs associated with the necessary transmission investments, thereby preventing an increase in transmission rates for Ohio residents.
Following a review of field surveys and public meetings held in May, and incorporating public feedback, AEP Ohio has determined a preferred route for the new power lines. The company intends to file a survey corridor for this route with the OPSB, which will extend beyond the anticipated right-of-way to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. The utility highlighted that the project is expected to bring benefits to the community through tax revenues from construction, job creation, and increased future electric capacity, fostering growth in southern Ohio.