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Ohio Data Center Intel
Latest data center news, projects, power and policy across Ohio — updated daily.
Recent Ohio data center news
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50 States of Power Decarbonization Q2 2025: States Restrict Plant Retirements and Investigate Emerging Energy Sources
The NC Clean Energy Technology Center released its Q2 2025 edition of the “50 States of Power Decarbonization” quarterly report.
- Main announcement: The Q2 2025 report found 48 states and Puerto Rico took 393 actions related to electric power decarbonization and resource planning during the quarter, and noted 317 introduced bills not yet passed. The report also summarizes planned capacity changes from recently filed or under‑review integrated resource plans: 118,262 MW solar, 98,317 MW natural gas, 50,117 MW wind, 47,258 MW storage, and 44,286 MW planned coal retirements.
- Background and details: The report identifies three Q2 2025 trends: (1) lawmakers imposing conditions on electric generation facility retirements; (2) states researching effects of large load customers (e.g., data centers) on the grid; (3) legislators investigating advanced nuclear and geothermal. It highlights top policy developments in Connecticut, Arkansas, Ohio, Minnesota, Missouri, Maine, and an Indiana executive order; media contact is Shannon Helm, NCCETC (shannon_helm@ncsu.edu).
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The data center balance: How US states can navigate the opportunities and challenges
The article by McKinsey authors analyzes the rapid growth and investment in data center infrastructure driven by AI and cloud computing demand in the United States.
- $7 trillion global investment by 2030, with over 40% in the US; Northern Virginia holds 13% of global capacity, demonstrating strategic regional growth.
- Challenges include power supply strain (460 TWh increase by 2030), water scarcity, resource bottlenecks, and community pushback; Ohio’s $10B+ AWS expansion and AEP’s $2.82B transmission build-out exemplify coordinated infrastructure and workforce initiatives.
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Bipartisan Ohio senators introduce community solar legislation
Ohio State Senators Mark Romanchuk (R-Ontario) and Kent Smith (D-Euclid) introduced SB 231 to establish a community energy distributed generation pilot program in Ohio (companion bill HB 303 introduced by Reps. Jim Hoops and Sharon Ray).
- Program details & legislative action: SB 231 / HB 303 would create a distributed generation pilot program enabling community energy (including community solar) to secure in‑state generation subject to local planning and zoning, allowing projects to be sited years ahead of typical time frames for other generation sources; SB 231 is presented as a bipartisan proposal and a CCSA news item/press release endorses the measure.
- Analyses & financial figures: A 2023 Ohio University analysis estimates the Ohio Community Solar Pilot Program could contribute $3.49 billion GSP, 27,254 job‑years, $2.48 billion in total earnings, and $409.5 million in local tax revenue over its lifetime; an analysis by Karl R. Rábago indicates the legislation’s costs would be offset by program benefits from “avoided costs” alone.
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Climate Change Solutions - July 29, 2025
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) newsletter highlights recent climate change solutions, legislative updates, and upcoming events.
- Innovative technologies such as AI-driven disaster resilience tools by U.S. National Laboratories and upgraded air filters to reduce wildfire smoke injuries are featured.
- Legislative progress includes the Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act passed by the House, the La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act advancing with job creation and solar capacity details, and the Fire Ready Nation Act advancing in the Senate to enhance wildfire forecasting.
- Upcoming briefings focus on Ohio River restoration and the intersection of AI and climate policy.
- The newsletter also provides links to recordings of the 28th annual Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO and related policy forums.
- EESI President Daniel Bresette is quoted on energy and AI topics; contact details and social media links for EESI are provided.
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What is a data center?
McKinsey has announced a detailed analysis and outlook on the rapid growth and investment needs of data centers driven by AI workloads.
- $6.7 trillion global investment in data centers is projected by 2030, with 70% driven by AI workloads; AI-ready data centers require new infrastructure including power, cooling, and electrical systems.
- Regional challenges include power supply constraints in the US and Europe, labor shortages, and sustainability demands; opportunities exist for investors, real estate firms, and telecom operators to support data center expansion and clean energy integration.
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Climate Change Solutions - July 15, 2025
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) recaps recent U.S. climate and energy policy developments, including new legislation, issue briefs, and upcoming events.
- Reconciliation package (P.L. 119-21) signed into law on July 4, 2025, ending or curtailing tax incentives for energy efficiency, renewables, and electric vehicles.
- Congressional committees advanced bills on algal bloom mitigation, precision agriculture, coastal data, and wildfire resilience; EESI published briefs on critical minerals, data center water use, and recapped 60 climate-related hearings from May-June 2025.
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Wärtsilä engines selected to deliver reliable power for U.S. data center
Wärtsilä Corporation will supply 282 MW of flexible natural-gas engines to power a new data center in Ohio, USA.
- Main announcement: Wärtsilä will deliver 282 MW via fifteen Wärtsilä 18V50SG engines to an onsite power facility for a new data center in Ohio, USA; the order was booked in Q2 2025 and deliveries will be phased starting late 2026 into 2027.
- Background and details: Wärtsilä states its engines offer short manufacturing lead times, modular design, low water consumption, fuel efficiency and heat resilience; the project will bring Wärtsilä’s total delivered U.S. capacity to over 6,000 MW and Wärtsilä reports EUR 6.4 billion net sales in 2024.
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Data Center REITs See Robust Demand Despite Power, Supply Constraints
The article discusses the robust demand in the U.S. data center sector driven mainly by AI and hyperscaler technology companies.
- Data center REITs benefit from unprecedented growth fueled by AI, cloud computing, 5G, and digital services, with hyperscalers driving record expansion.
- Power constraints present a key challenge, including securing long-term power access and transmission, with exploration of alternative power sources like gas plants and mothballed nuclear power plants.
- Liquid cooling technologies are becoming increasingly necessary to manage higher power densities in AI training and inferencing workloads.
- Major markets include Northern Virginia, Atlanta, Phoenix, Columbus (Ohio), West Texas, and Reno (Nevada), with international revenue significant, especially in Asia.
- The Stargate Project involves a $500 billion investment to develop digital infrastructure; tariffs might affect construction cost and supply chains.
The article highlights opportunities and challenges ahead for REITs in the data center industry amid evolving AI demands and power supply issues, suggesting strategic expansion and financing approaches.
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Hidden in Plain Sight | Forecasting the Next Wave of Data Centers
Enverus Intelligence® Research identifies and forecasts the development of data center projects and their significant impact on power markets.
- More than 65,000 buildable acres acquired by data center developers potentially hosting nearly 80 GW of new electrical load.
- Notable project: Williams’ development in New Albany, Ohio, involving a 10-year power purchase agreement without CCUS, powered by gas-fired generation.
- The analysis covers implications for grid stress, capacity planning, and investment in regions including PJM and SPP.
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The CDR market shows rapid growth with BECCS accounting for 55% of volumes transacted last year, priced at $387 per tonne on average.
This data provides critical insight into how energy transition and infrastructure development intersect with data center expansion and decarbonization efforts.
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Duke Energy and GE Vernova announce significant arrangement for gas turbines and associated equipment
Duke Energy forms a significant partnership with GE Vernova for natural gas turbines.
- Agreement to procure up to 11 American-produced GE Vernova 7HA gas turbines aligned with Duke Energy’s integrated resource plans.
- Partnership addresses growing energy demands driven by advanced manufacturing, data centers, and population growth.
- GE Vernova’s Greenville, S.C. facility expansion supports historic demand with nearly $600 million investment, including $300 million in Gas Power business.
- Investments include manufacturing process modernization, supplier capacity increase, and creation of over 1,500 U.S. jobs.
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New gas turbine assets to leverage Duke Energy’s existing infrastructure, lowering costs and speeding market delivery.
This partnership solidifies supply and capacity for Duke Energy to support future energy growth and modernization needs.