AEP Ohio, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy and SB Energy, announced a $4.2 billion investment in new 765‑kV transmission lines that will bring high‑capacity power to the former gaseous diffusion plant in Piketon, Ohio. The new lines will support a planned 10‑GW data‑center campus that is expected to begin receiving power in 2029.
The investment is a key component of AEP’s $72 billion 2026‑2030 capital plan and reflects the company’s strategy to leverage its extensive 765‑kV network to capture growing demand from data‑center and industrial customers. By expanding its high‑voltage infrastructure, AEP positions itself to serve the rapidly expanding AI and data‑center market, which is driving some of the fastest electricity demand growth in the United States.
SB Energy has committed to funding the transmission infrastructure, a move that is designed to protect Ohio ratepayers from additional transmission costs. The partnership allows AEP to avoid raising transmission rates for existing customers while still delivering the necessary capacity for the new campus. The project remains subject to approval from the Ohio Power Siting Board and will require public input and environmental studies.
The 10‑GW campus will unlock billions of dollars in regional investment and create jobs in Pike County and the broader Appalachian Ohio region. The project also strengthens AEP’s competitive moat by reinforcing its position as the largest operator of 765‑kV transmission in the United States, enabling the company to capture a significant share of the electrification super‑cycle.
AEP Ohio president Marc Reitter said, “Ohio is experiencing some of the fastest electricity demand growth in the nation, driven by data centers. AEP Ohio is proud to have brought together our experienced team, the U.S. Department of Energy and SB Energy to develop this framework, and we celebrate the potential this investment has to help Pike County and Appalachian Ohio grow.” He added, “The new transmission facilities are essential to powering this project and will unlock billions of dollars in regional investment. I am especially proud that our teams were able to develop a plan that supports economic development while protecting our ratepayers from the costs associated with this new infrastructure.”
The project is part of AEP’s broader effort to support electrification and data‑center growth across the Midwest. With power expected to flow to the campus in 2029, the investment aligns with the company’s goal of maintaining a long‑term operating earnings growth rate of 7‑9% and demonstrates its commitment to delivering reliable, affordable power to high‑growth markets.
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