Grid Overview

Ohio operates within PJM Interconnection, the nation's largest grid operator. The state straddles multiple PJM zones, with AEP Ohio, Duke Energy Ohio, FirstEnergy (Ohio Edison), and Dayton Power & Light serving as major distribution utilities.

Ohio deregulated its electricity market in 2001, allowing customers to choose competitive suppliers while utilities maintain the wires.

Generation Mix (2024)

63%
15%
14%
5%
3%
Natural Gas (63%)
Nuclear (15%)
Coal (14%)
Wind (5%)
Solar (3%)
🏭 HB 6 Scandal: Ohio's energy policy was rocked by the 2019 HB 6 bribery scandal, the largest corruption case in state history. FirstEnergy paid $60M to secure a $1B nuclear bailout. The fallout continues to shape Ohio energy politics.

Data Center & Semiconductor Market

Columbus is emerging as a major data center market, bolstered by Intel's historic investment and the state's central location, fiber connectivity, and competitive power costs.

Intel Ohio (New Albany)

Intel's $20 billion fab complex in New Albany (near Columbus) is one of the largest private investments in Ohio history:

  • Phase 1: Two chip fabs, ~$20B investment, construction underway
  • Potential: Up to 8 fabs, $100B total over a decade
  • Power demand: Estimated 200+ MW initial, scaling dramatically
  • Jobs: 3,000 direct + 7,000+ construction

Data Center Corridor

  • Columbus (I-270 Belt), New Albany, Dublin, Hilliard seeing rapid growth
  • Google, Multiple Ohio data centers (New Albany, others)
  • Meta, New Albany hyperscale campus
  • Amazon AWS, Columbus region presence
  • Microsoft, Columbus area investments
  • QTS, CyrusOne, Cologix, Enterprise and colo facilities
📈 Growth Driver: Ohio offers data center tax exemptions (sales tax on equipment, electricity) worth hundreds of millions for large facilities. Combined with Intel's fab ecosystem, Columbus is positioning as a Midwest tech hub.

Key Facilities

  • Davis-Besse Nuclear, 894 MW, near Toledo (FirstEnergy)
  • Perry Nuclear, 1,256 MW, near Cleveland (FirstEnergy)
  • Sammis Plant, 2,220 MW coal, retirement pending
  • W.H. Zimmer, 1,300 MW gas (converted from nuclear)
  • Oregon Clean Energy, 870 MW combined-cycle gas

Issues to Watch

  • Intel Power Demands, AEP Ohio planning significant upgrades for New Albany corridor
  • Nuclear Future, Davis-Besse and Perry rescued from closure by HB 6 (now repealed); long-term viability uncertain
  • Coal Retirement Pace, Multiple plants closing; replacement capacity debates
  • Renewable Setback Laws, Restrictive wind/solar siting limits utility-scale development
  • Transmission Buildout, PJM planning for Ohio data center load growth
  • Political Fallout, Continued HB 6 investigations and policy reforms