COLUMBUS, Ohio — American Electric Power 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, marking a significant step in AEP’s strategy to serve growing demand from large-scale customers.
Under the PPA, 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 plan to start construction in 2026, and the facility is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2028.
“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.”
AEP’s development and construction of this fuel cell generation facility is supporting Google’s growing energy needs in the greater Cheyenne area. 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. The project follows agreements reached between Google and Black Hills Corp., effective Sept. 30.
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