Ohio's Data Center Expansion: Renewable Energy and Environmental Concerns

Ohio has received 5.6 GW of data center interconnection requests as of March 2026, underscoring the urgency for renewable energy solutions. A report by Save Ohio Parks advocates for data centers to meet their energy needs entirely through solar, wind, and energy storage systems, either on-site or through investments in community resources.

The state has lost over 5.3 GW in potential wind and solar capacity due to restrictive energy policies, exacerbating the current energy crunch. Public opposition to data center growth is rising, with numerous local moratoriums enacted and a proposed statewide initiative to limit data center size. This situation poses risks of increased air pollution and health impacts if fossil fuels are used for power generation, highlighting the need for regulatory reforms.