USA: American Electric Power (AEP) projects 24 GW of new customer load by 2030, a 14 % increase from the previous quarter, largely fuelled by surging data centre demand. The utility now plans to boost its five-year capital investment plan from $54 B to up to $70 B, reflecting rapid growth in high-intensity power users like crypto facilities, manufacturers, and hyperscale digital hubs.

In its Q2 earnings call, AEP noted that all 24 GW is underpinned by signed agreements. Looking further ahead, the company reports 190 GW of customer interest in connecting to its grid—five times its current 37 GW system size.

CEO William Fehrman called the load growth “unprecedented,” with more than half of the 24 GW concentrated in ERCOT (Texas), 9 GW in PJM (primarily data centres), and 2.5 GW in SPP.

To address this, AEP is investing nearly $10 B in renewables, all of which currently qualify for federal tax credits. It is also securing up to 1 GW of Bloom Energy fuel cells to provide interim, customer-sited power while long-term infrastructure is developed.

AEP operates the largest transmission network in the US, spanning 11 states, making it attractive for large energy users. However, to protect other ratepayers, AEP has introduced dedicated large load tariffs. The PUCO recently approved a requirement for data centres to pay for at least 85 % of their subscribed energy, even if usage is lower.

These developments position AEP as a central player in the grid modernisation effort needed to meet the explosive growth in digital demand.

Source: Power Engineering

#AEP#Data centres#ERCOT#grid expansion#Renewables#transmission#William Fehrman

EPE Switchgear will maintain and repair TNB’s air and gas-insulated switchgear under a two-year contract with optional one-year extension.

New 500 kV transmission line to support Meta’s 2 GW Hyperion data centre campus in Louisiana; project fast-tracked for completion by late 2026.

Partnership will deliver SF₆-free switchgear across E.ON’s European networks ahead of the 2026 F-Gas ban, boosting grid efficiency and sustainability.