OPSB approves energy projects in Carroll, Vinton, Clinton, Fayette counties
The Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) has authorized Chestnut Run Energy LLC to construct a natural gas-fired electric generating facility in Carroll County. The OPSB also approved Hamden Energy LLC’s proposal to construct a hybrid solar and battery energy storage facility in Vinton County and AES Ohio’s plan to construct an electric transmission line in Clinton and Fayette counties.
Chestnut Run Energy
Chestnut Run Energy will construct a 1,300 megawatt (MW) natural gas-fired, combined-cycle electric generating facility 2.5 miles northeast of the village of Carrollton in Washington Township, Carroll County. The new facility will help meet energy demand in the region, particularly considering the ongoing retirement of aging generating capacity and the increased demand of planned economic development within Ohio. Chestnut Run Energy plans to begin construction as early as this year and place the facility into commercial operation in 2030. The project is anticipated to create 500 construction related jobs and 20 long-term operational positions.
Hamden Energy
Hamden Energy will construct a 149 MW photovoltaic solar panel array and a 149 MW battery energy storage system. The hybrid project will occupy 945 acres within a 1,336-acre project area on previously mined land in Clinton Township, Vinton County. As a brownfield project, there will be no loss of agricultural land. Solar panels will be set back a minimum of 300 feet from non-participating residences, 150 feet from public roads, 120 feet from wetlands and streams, and 50 feet from drinking wells. Hamden Energy must post a decommissioning bond to ensure the removal of the facility at the end of its useful life. It is estimated the project will create 300 construction related jobs and 11 long-term operational jobs. Hamden Energy plans to begin construction later this year and place the facility in service in 2029.
Fayette-Clinton Transmission Line
AES Ohio will construct the Fayette-Clinton 345 kilovolt single-circuit transmission line through parts of Clinton and Fayette counties. The 29 mile line will occupy a 200 foot wide right-of-way and is needed to meet the growing demand for network enhancements created by large customer projects in the area. The project will also provide increased reliability and resiliency in the AES Ohio service area. AES Ohio plans to begin construction during September 2027 and place the line in service in January 2030
In separate business, the OPSB denied the application for rehearing filed by Sloopy Solar, LLC regarding the Board’s denial of the company’s proposal to construct a solar energy facility in Clark County. The Board also dismissed a complaint filed regarding construction of the Fountain Point Solar project in Logan County.
Additional information regarding today’s entries and orders in case numbers is available on the OPSB website at www.OPSB.ohio.gov.