COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a major development for the region’s rapidly growing technology infrastructure, the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) on Friday officially authorized the construction of a massive 250-megawatt natural gas-fired electric generation facility in Licking County.
The project, named the Socrates the Younger (STY) Power Generation Facility, is uniquely designed to operate entirely “behind-the-meter.” Instead of feeding electricity back into the public transmission grid, the plant’s sole purpose will be to directly serve the immense energy demands of an adjacent data center campus.
The primary consumer of the facility’s power will be Sidecat, LLC, an affiliate of tech giant Meta Platforms, Inc. (the parent company of Facebook and Instagram).
Off-Grid Infrastructure & Battery Storage
Developer Will-Power OH, LLC will construct and operate the plant on a 109-acre parcel located at the southwest corner of Clover Valley Road and Harrison Road NW in New Albany, Ohio.
Because the facility will not be physically connected to the traditional electric power grid, ensuring consistent uptime is a critical priority. To handle sudden spikes in energy demand and protect against unexpected operational interruptions, the project will incorporate a robust 116-megawatt battery energy storage system.
Strict Oversight and Regulatory Conditions
While granting the approval, state regulators have placed tight boundaries on the project’s development. Will-Power OH is required to strictly adhere to 36 legally binding conditions mandated by the OPSB. These conditions are carefully tailored to minimize environmental, noise, and safety impacts on the surrounding New Albany and Licking County communities during both the construction phase and the long-term operation of the plant.
Public Record and Resources
For local residents and interested parties looking to review detailed maps, site layouts, or official filings, the OPSB has made all documentation publicly accessible. Information regarding the STY facility can be found on the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio website (dis.puc.state.oh.us) by searching for case number 26-0169-EL-BLN.
The OPSB also provides an interactive online mapping tool allowing the public to track the exact locations of this facility alongside other approved or pending natural gas generation projects across the state.
