AEP expects to double total power needed by 2030, largely due to data centers in Ohio and Texas

American Electric Power (AEP) CEO Bill Fehrman announced during a first-quarter 2026 earnings call that the company anticipates nearly doubling its national power generation to 63 gigawatts by 2030, up from 32 gigawatts currently. This substantial growth, capable of powering tens of millions of homes, is primarily attributed to an influx of data centers in Ohio and Texas, which account for 90% of the projected new power demand. Fehrman indicated that meeting this demand will necessitate significant new infrastructure, including large-scale transmission projects in Texas and Ohio, and new generation facilities. AEP's five-year capital plan stands at $78 billion, with Fehrman citing the recently announced 10-gigawatt Piketon data center project in southern Ohio, backed by Japanese firm SB Energy, as an example of these massive undertakings. This expansion, however, is raising concerns about affordability, as AEP customers in Ohio have already experienced a 22% increase in average electric industry revenue over the past year, leading to record revenues for the utility. Grassroots backlash has emerged in Ohio, notably in Columbus, where organizations like Columbus Stand Up, co-founded by Morgan Harper, have organized community outcry against AEP's proposed rate increases. Though a temporary rate decrease was approved, Harper and other groups are advocating for AEP to transition to greener energy sources and for state governors to halt approving rate hikes. Harper criticized Fehrman's high salary and AEP's focus on data centers as a potential cover for over-investment that shifts costs to consumers, emphasizing that accountability from state regulators, such as the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, and Governor Mike DeWine is crucial. While acknowledging public frustration, Harper did not explicitly support bans or moratoriums on data centers, recognizing their role in modern technology infrastructure.