The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has approved a $350 million smart grid initiative by AEP Ohio, clearing the way for a seven-year effort to modernize the state's electrical infrastructure.

The project will upgrade at least 300 distribution circuits with advanced automation technology capable of detecting outages and rerouting power, which is expected to reduce the number and duration of customer disruptions across AEP Ohio's service territory.

"Smart grid investments will continue to improve the reliability of electric service for AEP Ohio in a cost-effective manner," said Jenifer French, PUCO Chair.

According to a cost-benefit analysis, the plan is projected to return $3.50 in customer benefits for every $1 invested. To limit customer impact, PUCO capped the total cost at $350 million over seven years, translating to approximately $0.22 added to monthly residential bills.

The initiative was formalized through a settlement agreement filed in January 2025 by AEP Ohio, PUCO staff, the Ohio Energy Group, the Ohio Energy Leadership Council, and the Ohio Manufacturer's Association Energy Group.

Full documentation is available at PUCO.ohio.gov under case number 24-787-EL-RDR.

Source: sciotopost.com