- A new study reveals that Ohio can face lack of energy by 2027 if the state electricity network is not strengthened.
- The increased energy demand stems from Ohio’s latest success in attracting large companies.
- Without sufficient planning, Ohio risks losing future economic development opportunities.
Ohio can face a lack of energy within two years if something is not done to strengthen the electricity network on which the state rests, a new study released Wednesday.
If something is not done by 2027, interruptions during heavy weather can become more common, energy costs can grow and businesses taking into account a home in Ohio may look elsewhere, said Pat Tiberi, chief executive I Ohio Business Roundtable, the organization that issued the study.
Joined by Jobsohio leader, a Columbus and Cleveland’s partnership, Tiberi on Wednesday called for reform, including a new state -owned state resistance office to be established by the governor.
“We need more energy planning,” Tiberi said. “Without proper planning and too much energy, we may lose economic development opportunities because of the power we may not have in the future to secure.”
The field for a new state office was one of the six leaders of the recommendations made Wednesday. Among the other recommendations made were:
- Establishing priority investment areas that will include previous coal and brownfield sites, and providing tax stimuli and accelerated allowance to encourage development.
- Boltering of resources by simplifying and limiting the process of permission to 90 days. In some cases, Tiberi said, she has stretched beyond 600 days in the past.
- Reduce the regulatory time of delay between when a tool brings costs and can offset them.
- Improving network technology while conducting a study of the best ways to use new technology.
- Encouraging investment in the so-called “back-meter” energy generation by clients and enabling “microgrids” for industrial parks.
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Increasing energy demand is due to Ohio’s latest victories in attracting companies such as Intel, Anduril, Amazon Web Services, Meta, Honda and more, said JP Nauseef, President and CEO I Jobsohio, Private Development Agency non -profit economy of the state.
“Don’t make a mistake, Ohio’s demand for energy is growing because Ohio is blooming,” Nausef said.
More energy is needed, Nauseef said, to strengthen the growth of databases throughout Ohio and to support future production projects from the Intel Chip manufacturer and the Aunti Protection Technology company, which announced in January that it will to open its Arsenal 1 center at Ricenbacker International Airport.
Ohio is currently in competition for the 10 so -called “Mega Projects” of Intel and Alex’s likes, Nauseef said. Among these opportunities and the growth of artificial intelligence technology, Nauseef said energy needs are likely to grow only in Ohio in the coming years.
“Artificial intelligence will speed up the need for more energy,” he said. “And it’s not just him, as production wants to be in Ohio and those businesses will need energy connection in order to keep their growth.”
Read more:Google wants to strengthen the power grid in Ohio while expanding to the state: Here
While the data centers have appeared throughout the center of Ohio, they have brought with them concerns about the use of electricity. Ohio growth in data centers means that the state can eat so much electricity that they require energy in the region will be similar to all Manhattan by 2030, according to the American Electric Power.
Since 2024, Ohio had 1.2 Gigavat with data capacity, but the demand could be increased to 15 gigawatts by 2034, according to the study.
Ohio’s Business Round Table Report represents a “starting point” for what should become a national leader in enhancing energy capacity, said Kenny McDonald President and CEO of One Columbus, an economic development organization that supports a region 11 -Cark about Columbus.
Ohio has become a leader in Cloud Computing, McDonald said, and in order to remain a state must take “bold acts” to improve its infrastructure before it is late.
“The recommendations are clear, they are balanced, they are measured,” McDonald said. “We have a lot of work to do.”
mfilby@dispatch.com
@Maxfilby