ReferenceLarge-load power by market
Columbus: what a 50 MW connection costs under AEP Ohio
What does a 50 MW connection cost in Columbus?
In short. In Columbus, AEP Ohio connects a 50 MW load under Schedule DCT (Data Center Tariff), docket PUCO 24-508-EL-ATA (approved 2025-07-09). Minimum bill: 15,000 kW plus 85% of contract capacity above 25,000 kW, capped at 85%. Term: ramp (max 4 years) plus 8 years = up to 12 years. Realistic energization: 2031 to 2033. Open Factory's Large-Load Cost Table, as of August 21, 2026.
Facts
| Market | Columbus, OH (PJM) |
|---|---|
| Utility | AEP Ohio |
| Tariff or rule | Schedule DCT (Data Center Tariff) |
| Docket | PUCO 24-508-EL-ATA (approved 2025-07-09) |
| Status | approved; next study tranche opens 2026-10-01 (applications by 2026-09-30) |
| Large-load threshold | 25 MW (aggregate across affiliates) |
| Study fee | $50,000 one-time load study fee for 50 to <100 MW ($10,000 for >25 to <50 MW; $100,000 for 100 MW+) |
| Security or collateral | 50% of total minimum charges over the full contract term (waived only for A-/A3 credit with cash >10x the requirement); surety bonds not accepted |
| Minimum bill | for 50 MW contract: 15,000 kW plus 85% of capacity above 25,000 kW = 36,250 kW (72.5% of contract); cap 85%; or 85% of highest demand in prior 11 months |
| Contract term | ramp (max 4 years) plus 8 years = up to 12 years |
| Ramp | 50/65/80/90% of contract capacity in years 1 to 4 |
| Exit fee | 36 months of minimum charges; allowed only after year 5 following the ramp; up to 25% of capacity may be assigned to another DCT customer instead; Letter of Agreement: 100% of buildout costs if the project cancels or slips more than 12 months before energization |
| CIAC exposure | LOA reimbursement of 100% of buildout on cancellation; standard line-extension policy makes non-residential customers pay 40% of extension cost plus premium services (LBNL fn 5) |
| Realistic energization, 50 MW | 2031 to 2033 |
| Verification | VERIFIED (utility tariff page and releases) |
| Data as of | August 21, 2026 |
Questions
What does a 50 MW connection cost in Columbus?
AEP Ohio: study fee $50,000 one-time load study fee for 50 to <100 MW ($10,000 for >25 to <50 MW; $100,000 for 100 MW+); collateral 50% of total minimum charges over the full contract term (waived only for A-/A3 credit with cash >10x the requirement); surety bonds not accepted; minimum bill for 50 MW contract: 15,000 kW plus 85% of capacity above 25,000 kW = 36,250 kW (72.5% of contract); cap 85%; or 85% of highest demand in prior 11 months; term ramp (max 4 years) plus 8 years = up to 12 years.
When can a 50 MW load be energized in Columbus?
2031 to 2033. CPS Energy planning presentation (PowerGen 2026) puts Columbus at 84 months; AEP Ohio's 17,861 MW of contracts come online through 2035 against an 8,000 to 10,500 MW peak.
Which tariff applies to large loads in Columbus?
Schedule DCT (Data Center Tariff); docket PUCO 24-508-EL-ATA (approved 2025-07-09); status: approved; next study tranche opens 2026-10-01 (applications by 2026-09-30).
Is this rate proposed or approved?
Approved or in effect as of the data date (approved; next study tranche opens 2026-10-01 (applications by 2026-09-30)). VERIFIED (utility tariff page and releases).
Sources
- Open Factory Large-Load Cost Table
- aepohio.com (accessed 2026-09-09)
- aep.com (2025-07-09)
- aepohio.com (2026-02-13)
- avanzaenergy.substack.com (2026)
Data as of August 21, 2026. This page is rebuilt from the same table the Large-Load Interconnection Cost, the API and the MCP server read, so the figures cannot differ. Also available as plain markdown. Cite as Open Factory, Columbus: what a 50 MW connection costs under AEP Ohio, August 21, 2026.
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