AEP plans $4B Wyoming fuel cell project to power Google data center
The Columbus-based utility signed a 20-year agreement to supply a Google data center from outside its traditional retail footprint.
Columbus-based American Electric Power announced Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, that it plans to invest approximately $4 billion in a 702-megawatt fuel cell generation project near Cheyenne, Wyoming, under a 20-year power purchase agreement with Google. The utility disclosed the long-term commercial arrangement in an Oct. 14 press release.
Under the contract, Google will purchase power from Cheyenne Fuel Cell, LLC, an entity roughly 92% owned and controlled by AEP and nearly 8% owned by funds advised by Basalt Infrastructure Partners, LLP. AEP and its partners scheduled construction to begin in 2026, with the facility expected to become fully operational by the end of 2028.
The project will use fuel cell technology developed by Bloom Energy that generates electricity without combustion of natural gas, AEP stated in the release. While the company noted plans to integrate carbon capture equipment to provide near-zero-emissions power, the release did not state estimated costs or engineering milestones for that carbon capture technology.
"As power demand continues to grow, AEP is bringing together new technologies and strong partnerships to deliver reliable, innovative energy solutions quickly and at scale," Bill Fehrman, AEP chairman, president and chief executive officer, said in the announcement. Fehrman noted that the project creates opportunities to serve customer energy needs "both within and beyond our traditional service territory."
The development follows power supply agreements effective Sept. 30, 2026, between Google and regional utility Black Hills Corp. to serve a planned data center in Cheyenne. Black Hills disclosed that the Cheyenne data center is anticipated to be served by a total resource mix of 2.7 gigawatts.
Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, AEP operates the nation's largest transmission system and delivers electricity to 5.6 million retail customers across 11 states. The Wyoming commercial generation project represents a major commitment outside that 11-state retail footprint as the company proceeds with an overall $78 billion capital investment program planned from 2026 through 2030.
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AEP Advances Innovative Energy Solution for Google with 702MW of Bloom Fuel Cells
Supporting evidence (7)
The utility disclosed the long-term commercial arrangement in an Oct. 14 press release.
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plans to invest approximately $4 billion to advance a new 702-megawatt fuel cell generation project near Cheyenne, Wyoming, under a long-term 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Google
Under the contract, Google will purchase power from Cheyenne Fuel Cell, LLC, an entity roughly 92% owned and controlled by AEP and nearly 8% owned by funds advised by Basalt Infrastructure Partners, LLP.
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Google will acquire power from Cheyenne Fuel Cell, LLC, which is approximately 92% owned and controlled by AEP, and nearly 8% owned by funds advised by Basalt Infrastructure Partners, LLP.
AEP and its partners scheduled construction to begin in 2026, with the facility expected to become fully operational by the end of 2028.
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AEP and its partners plan to start construction in 2026, and the facility is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2028.
The project will use fuel cell technology developed by Bloom Energy that generates electricity without combustion of natural gas, AEP stated in the release.
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The planned facility uses advanced fuel cell technology developed by Bloom Energy that can be deployed rapidly and provide reliable, on-demand power to meet the needs of large-load customers. The technology generates electricity without combustion of natural gas, and the project includes plans to integrate carbon capture technology to deliver reliable, near-zero-emissions power.
"As power demand continues to grow, AEP is bringing together new technologies and strong partnerships to deliver reliable, innovative energy solutions quickly and at scale," Bill Fehrman, AEP chairman, president and chief executive officer, said in the announcement.
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"As power demand continues to grow, AEP is bringing together new technologies and strong partnerships to deliver reliable, innovative energy solutions quickly and at scale," said Bill Fehrman, AEP chairman, president and chief executive officer. "This project demonstrates how we are creating new opportunities to meet evolving energy needs for customers both within and beyond our traditional service territory."
Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, AEP operates the nation's largest transmission system and delivers electricity to 5.6 million retail customers across 11 states.
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deliver energy to 5.6 million customers in 11 states.
The Wyoming commercial generation project represents a major commitment outside that 11-state retail footprint as the company proceeds with an overall $78 billion capital investment program planned from 2026 through 2030.
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We plan to invest $78 billion from 2026 through 2030 to enhance service for customers and support the growing energy needs of our communities.
Supporting evidence (1)
The development follows power supply agreements effective Sept. 30, 2026, between Google and regional utility Black Hills Corp. to serve a planned data center in Cheyenne.
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Black Hills Corp. on Oct. 6 announced it has signed definitive agreements effective Sept. 30, 2026, with terms through 2048, to serve a planned Google data center to be constructed in Cheyenne, Wyoming.