AEP Ohio Plans New Substation on Google Site to Support Data Centre Power Demand
AEP Ohio is planning to build a new electric substation in Allen County, aimed at supporting a major new customer facility believed to be linked to Google.
The project, known as the Lyka Transmission Project, centres on the construction of the Lyka substation, which will be located on customer-owned land in Sugar Creek Township. The facility is designed to provide dedicated power supply to the site while also strengthening the surrounding grid.
In addition to the substation, the project includes approximately four miles of 345 kV transmission lines that will connect the new facility to an existing transmission network.
The substation is the core component of the development, acting as a key node that will transform and distribute electricity to meet the needs of the new large-scale customer. According to AEP Ohio, the project will “provide electric service to a new customer facility” while also adding capacity to support future growth and economic development in the region.
The infrastructure is being developed in response to increasing power demand, particularly from energy-intensive facilities such as data centres, which require reliable and high-capacity electricity supply.
Construction of the project is expected to begin in fall 2027, with completion targeted for fall 2028, pending regulatory approvals and final route selection for the transmission lines.
AEP Ohio has also initiated a public consultation process, including community open houses, to gather input on the project and its potential impact.
Substations play a critical role in enabling large-scale developments by managing voltage transformation and ensuring stable power delivery. In this case, the Lyka substation will serve as essential infrastructure supporting both immediate energy needs and long-term regional growth.
The project reflects a broader trend across the U.S., where utilities are expanding substation infrastructure to accommodate rising electricity demand driven by digital infrastructure, electrification, and economic development initiatives.
Source: limaohio.com
