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 with Google, "marking a significant step in AEP’s strategy to serve growing demand from large-scale customers," AEP said on Oct. 14.
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.
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, AEP noted.
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.
