AEP Ohio and data centers

Large-load tariff and rules

Status

Large-load tariff or rules approved (2025-07-09)

Tariff

AEP Ohio data center tariff

Docket

Case No. 24-508-EL-ATA, Public Utilities Commission of Ohio

What it says

PUCO's July 9, 2025 order adopted a settlement; POWER Magazine reports large new data center customers (loads above 25 MW) must pay for at least 85% of subscribed usage for up to 12 years. (POWER Magazine)

Source excerpt

“requiring large new data center customers to pay for a minimum of 85% of their subscribed electricity usage—regardless of actual consumption—for up to 12 years.”

Official forecasts of data center load

• AEP Ohio's testimony, as reported by POWER Magazine, projects data center load in Central Ohio reaching 5 GW by 2030, up from about 600 MW in 2024. (POWER Magazine, 2025-07-10)
  Source excerpt

  “the company projects data center loads will rapidly accelerate to reach 5 GW in Central Ohio by 2030.”

• AEP Ohio reported service inquiries from over 50 customers at over 90 sites totaling more than 30,000 MW (requests, not a forecast). (POWER Magazine, 2025-07-10)
  Source excerpt

  “AEP Ohio has received inquiries and preliminary requests for service from over 50 customers at over 90 sites totaling more than 30,000 MW”

What sources say about customer bills

Sources warning that other customers’ costs could rise

• PJM independent market monitor (Monitoring Analytics), PJM-wide finding: The PJM market monitor says data center load additions have raised costs that will be paid through May 2028 and may raise transmission, energy and capacity costs for other customers across the PJM region. (Utility Dive, 2026-03-12)
  Source excerpt

  “Large data center load additions have already had a significant and irreversible impact that will be paid through May of 2028 and will have additional significant impacts on other customers as a result of higher transmission costs, higher energy market prices and higher capacity market prices,”

Sources saying customers are protected, or bills are lower than they would be

• Public Utilities Commission of Ohio: PUCO said the approved settlement safeguards non-data-center customers from cost-shifting risks of underused investments made to serve data centers. (Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, 2025-07-09)
  Source excerpt

  “In its order, the Commission noted the settlement safeguards other non-data center customers from cost-shifting risks of underused investments made to serve Ohio’s growing data center industry.”

These are statements by regulators, utilities, advocates and researchers about this utility or its region. They are not a prediction of any customer’s bill, which depends on rates, usage and regulator decisions.

More

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