AEP Ohio has proposed new tariffs specifically for data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations to address the soaring demand for electricity. The proposal includes a requirement for data centers to commit to paying for at least 90% of their projected energy needs over a 10-year period, even if they use less.
- Utility companies’ handling of data center power consumption growth is crucial
- AEP Ohio opened a proceeding (Docket 24-05058) with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
- Proposal includes two new tariffs to accommodate anticipated load growth from new data centers:
- “Data Center Power” tariff for new data center customers with a monthly demand of 25 MW or more
- “Mobile Data Center” tariff for new mobile data center customers, such as cryptocurrency miners, with a monthly demand of more than 1 MW
- U.S. at a critical moment in grid-planning and management
- Precedents and strategies are being formed to accommodate data center load influx
- Outcome of the proceeding will provide early insight into regulatory bodies’ approach to managing data center expansion load growth
- Issue is relevant to many regions of the country
Important for how utility companies are looking to handle data center power consumption growth…this decision will be pivotal >
"AEP Ohio opened a proceeding (Docket 24-05058) with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, proposing to create two new tariffs designed to help… pic.twitter.com/TgAk784VPS
— Tracy (𝒞𝒽𝒾 ) (@chigrl) July 14, 2024
Sources:
www.aepohio.com/company/news/view?releaseID=9539
finance.yahoo.com/news/aep-ohio-files-plan-secure-193700009.html?guccounter=1
www.theregister.com/2024/05/21/ohio_datacenter_power/?td=readmore