Industry leaders say Ohio can meet rising data‑center demand but call for transparency and grid upgrades

At a Columbus Metropolitan Club forum in Columbus, industry and policy experts said Ohio must pair market signals with clearer transmission information and targeted grid upgrades to meet rising electricity demand from hyperscale data centers and manufacturing.

Panelists said Ohio’s existing competitive market structure and regional transmission organization membership give the state tools to attract new generation and private investment, but they urged more transparency so customers and developers can identify locations where the grid can serve large new loads without long waits for costly upgrades. "Customers are paying 300% more in transmission charges per power bill than they were in the baseline year of 02/2016," said Bridal Pettway, construction executive with Arch Key Solutions, calling for clearer evidence that customers get commensurate benefits from those charges. Ryan Augsberger, president of the Ohio Manufacturers Association, said that transparency is needed so economic developers and businesses can know "where the grid…