The project includes new power generation, grid upgrades, and large-scale computing development at the Portsmouth site.
The U.S. Departments of Energy and Commerce announced a public-private partnership with SoftBank and AEP Ohio to redevelop federal land and expand energy and computing infrastructure in southern Ohio. The proposal includes construction of up to 10 gigawatts (GW) of power generation—primarily natural gas—to support a planned 10 GW data center campus at the Portsmouth Site in Pike County.
“I’m pleased to be working with our partners at SoftBank and AEP Ohio on this important project. By bringing new power online and upgrading our existing infrastructure, this investment supports the AI boom and cutting-edge technologies while strengthening our energy system and helping keep costs down for the American people,” said Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
The project includes transmission upgrades funded by private investment, with excess capacity expected to be added to the regional grid. Portions of this announcement were previously announced as part of the U.S.-Japan Strategic Trade and Investment Agreement, with $33.3 billion in Japanese funding for 9.2 GW of new natural gas generation. The partnership also includes environmental cleanup and redevelopment of portions of the site, along with commitments to expand transmission capacity and integrate new generation into the grid.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Energy Secretary Chris Wright and U.S. and Japanese project leaders as they oversee planning and implementation.
- For officials in the Departments of Energy and Commerce as they coordinate public-private infrastructure development and long-term energy planning.
- For communities in southern Ohio, workers, and stakeholders to develop the data center with respect to safety, the environment, and local residents.
Sources: Department of Energy
