OPSB approves construction of Licking County natural gas-fired power plant

COLUMBUS, OHIO (June 9, 2025) – The Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) authorized the construction of a 200 megawatt (MW) natural gas-fired electric generation facility in the city of New Albany and Licking County. The Socrates South Power Generation Project will operate “behind-the-meter,” to serve the electric load of an adjacent data center and will not be physically connected to the electric power grid.

Will-Power OH, LLC, a subsidiary of the Williams Companies, will construct and operate the generation facility, and Sidecat, LLC, an affiliate of Meta Platforms, Inc., will consume the electric power generated. Sidecat owns a 740-acre industrial property campus within the New Albany Business Park, on which the 20-acre generation facility will be located. Sidecat has constructed multiple data centers on this campus, and its latest data center is currently under construction adjacent to the generation facility site. Natural gas supply for the generation facility will come from two 24-inch diameter gas pipelines that will be the subject of future applications with the OPSB.

More information regarding the Socrates South Power Generation Project, including maps of the project area, is available in the record for case number 25-0185-EL-BLN. The OPSB recently created a new online mapping tool that illustrates the location of the Socrates South project, as well as other approved and pending natural gas-fired generation projects across Ohio.

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The Ohio Power Siting Board reviews applications for the construction of major utility facilities in Ohio. Together with Ohio’s elected officials, citizen stakeholders, and the energy industry, the Board strives to build a strong and competitive foundation for Ohio’s future.

For additional information, contact: Matt Butler | (614) 644-7670