Ohio regulators approve 250-megawatt power plant to fuel New Albany Meta data center
The Ohio Power Siting Board has approved the construction of the 250-megawatt Socrates the Younger (STY) Power Generation Facility in Licking County. This natural gas-fired plant, developed by Will-Power OH, LLC, is designed to exclusively power an adjacent Meta data center campus in New Albany, Ohio. State regulators have imposed 36 legally binding conditions to mitigate environmental, noise, and safety impacts.
The Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) recently granted approval for the construction of the 250-megawatt Socrates the Younger (STY) Power Generation Facility in Licking County, Ohio. This significant development targets the region's expanding technology infrastructure, with the natural gas-fired plant designed to operate entirely "behind-the-meter." Its sole purpose is to meet the substantial energy needs of an adjacent data center campus, primarily serving Sidecat, LLC, an affiliate of Meta Platforms, Inc.
Developed and to be operated by Will-Power OH, LLC, the plant will be located on a 109-acre parcel at the intersection of Clover Valley Road and Harrison Road NW in New Albany. To ensure uninterrupted operation and manage energy demand fluctuations, the project includes a 116-megawatt battery energy storage system. The OPSB's approval comes with stringent requirements, imposing 36 legally binding conditions on Will-Power OH to minimize potential environmental, noise, and safety impacts on the surrounding New Albany and Licking County communities during both construction and long-term operation.
Detailed project documentation, including maps and official filings, is accessible to the public through the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio website, under case number 26-0169-EL-BLN. The OPSB also offers an online mapping tool for tracking this and other energy projects across the state.