– AEP proposed a new rate category for data centre and cryptomining customers
– The proposal requires a 10-year commitment and payment for at least 90% of the energy needed
– AEP is making long-term plans to accommodate the increasing demand for computing power from data centres in Ohio and across the US
American Electric Power (AEP) has proposed a new rate category for data centre customers and cryptocurrency mining/mobile data centre operations in Ohio. The proposal requires new data centres with loads over 25MW and cryptomining/mobile data centre operations with loads over 1MW to meet certain requirements before infrastructure is built.
Data centres must commit to paying for a minimum of 90% of the energy they say they need each month for 10 years, even if they use less. This new rate structure aims to provide AEP with certainty for long-term planning and offers customers clear obligations.
AEP Ohio emphasizes the need for accurate plans and commitments from large data centre customers to ensure the right investments are made in the electric grid. The demand for computing power from data centres is growing rapidly, particularly in Central Ohio, where load is expected to reach 5,000MW by 2030.
In the US, data center demand is projected to reach 35GW by 2030. With significant load growth expected, grid operators and utilities are preparing for increased electrification, manufacturing, and data centre development. AEP’s proposal seeks to address this growing demand for power and ensure proper infrastructure development.