The U.S. Department of Energy announced on Mar. 20 a new public-private partnership with the Department of Commerce, SoftBank, and AEP Ohio to redevelop federal land, modernize energy infrastructure, and develop advanced computing in Southern Ohio. The initiative includes plans by SB Energy, a SoftBank Group company, to build 10 gigawatts of new power generation—primarily natural gas—to support a new data center at the Portsmouth Site in Pike County without cost to American families.
This partnership is expected to lower electricity costs in the region, create thousands of jobs, and strengthen national security. It also aims to support technological advancements such as artificial intelligence while revitalizing local communities.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said, “Thanks to President Trump, the U.S. government is leveraging its assets—like our federal lands—to add power generation, create jobs, and ensure the United States wins the AI race.” Wright added that working with SoftBank and AEP Ohio will help bring new power online and upgrade existing infrastructure to support emerging technologies while keeping costs down for Americans.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said, “Our Japanese partnership is a direct result of President Trump’s America First trade policies. Japan has committed to invest $550 billion across America. With this historic trade deal we are reindustrializing the country through critical projects like this $33 billion dollar power project in Portsmouth, Ohio.”
AEP Chairman Bill Fehrman said that the collaboration would not have been possible without all parties involved: “This partnership unlocks billions of dollars of electric transmission infrastructure, all without increasing customer rates.” Masayoshi Son, Chairman and CEO of SoftBank Group Corp., said: “AI will transform every industry, and the PORTS Technology Campus will help deliver the next-generation infrastructure needed to unlock those breakthroughs.”
Assistant Secretary of Environmental Management Tim Walsh described it as “a major step forward for Southern Ohio’s economic and energy future,” emphasizing benefits for restoration efforts at the Portsmouth site.
The DOE has previously launched programs supporting affordable energy access and grid upgrades according to an announcement from July 2022. The department has also encouraged international cooperation on clean energy transitions as seen in outreach efforts, highlighted technology development’s role in environmental management in congressional testimony, supported innovative cleanup processes at legacy sites through passive energy methods, funded clean vehicle technology initiatives with millions in grants, and announced over 140 programs aimed at delivering investments to disadvantaged communities under Justice40 according to DOE reports.
Construction on this latest project is expected to begin later this year.
