SoftBank and AEP Plan $33 Billion AI Data Center and Gas Power Megaproject in Ohio
SoftBank is partnering with American Electric Power (AEP) to develop a large-scale energy and artificial intelligence infrastructure project in the U.S. state of Ohio.
The project involves the construction of a massive AI-focused data center complex with a planned computing capacity of up to 10 gigawatts, positioning it among the largest data center developments globally. Each gigawatt of capacity is estimated to supply electricity equivalent to nearly one million homes.
Under the plan, SB Energy, a subsidiary of SoftBank, will connect a 9.2-gigawatt gas-powered plant to the local grid to support the data center. The facility is expected to be built at the former Portsmouth federal site, previously used for uranium production during the Cold War.
The initiative is part of a broader public-private partnership backed by more than $33 billion in Japanese investments, aligning with a wider U.S.-Japan agreement aimed at strengthening cooperation in energy and technology while reducing reliance on Chinese supply chains.
In addition, the project includes approximately $4.2 billion in investments to upgrade and expand electricity transmission networks in southern Ohio, ensuring the infrastructure can support the large-scale operation.
The development is seen as a strategic move to reinforce the United States’ position in the global AI race by securing vast computing power. However, it also raises concerns about the environmental impact and potential pressure on electricity prices, particularly due to its reliance on natural gas as a primary energy source.
