Data centers are driving some of the biggest electricity forecasts Ohio has ever seen. But how much of that projected demand is real, and how much should existing customers be expected to pay for before it materializes?

That debate will come to Columbus on Thursday, Aug. 27 at the 2026 Ohio Manufacturers’ Energy Conference, with a lineup that includes nationally recognized energy researcher Dr. Jonathan Koomey, U.S. Reps. Troy Balderson and Bob Latta, Ohio Consumers’ Counsel Maureen Willis and Abhijeet Sathe of SB Energy, part of SoftBank Group.

Koomey will challenge assumptions behind forecasts of explosive data center electricity demand, while Balderson and Latta will bring the federal perspective on energy policy, grid reliability and rising costs. Seryak and Willis will examine whether PJM is delivering the generation and reliability customers are paying for, and Sathe will take attendees inside the proposed PORTS Technology Campus near Piketon, a major AI and energy development that could ultimately reach 10 gigawatts.

“There is too much money at stake to simply assume every data center forecast will come true,” said Lindsey Short, managing director of advocacy and energy for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “Before customers pay for new infrastructure, the demand needs to be real and the numbers need to hold up.”

The conference will bring together the people challenging the forecasts, writing the rules, building the projects and paying the bills at a moment when Ohio’s energy decisions are carrying billions of dollars in consequences. 8/21/2026