American Electric Power (AEP) has announced plans to invest approximately $4 billion in a 702 MW fuel cell power generation facility near Cheyenne, Wyoming. The project will supply electricity to Google’s operations in the area under a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA).
Cheyenne Fuel Cell will develop the facility using fuel cell technology from Bloom Energy. AEP holds approximately 92% ownership in the project company, while funds managed by Basalt Infrastructure Partners hold the remaining stake. The plant will generate electricity without conventional fuel combustion and will incorporate plans for carbon capture technology to reduce emissions.
AEP expects to begin construction in 2026 and bring the facility into full operation by the end of 2028. The project will provide dedicated generation capacity to support Google’s growing electricity requirements in the Cheyenne area, where data center development is increasing demand for power.
Separately, AEP has signed an agreement with Mainspring Energy to purchase up to 1.6 GW of linear generators through 2034. The utility has placed an initial order for 190 MW, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2027. The generators can operate on multiple fuels, including natural gas, biogas, and hydrogen, allowing AEP to deploy additional generation capacity as electricity demand increases.