June 9 (Reuters) - The Socrates South Power Generation

Project, a 200 megawatt (MW) natural gas-fired electric

generation facility in the city of New Albany and Licking

County, Ohio, has been approved for construction, the Ohio Power

Siting Board (OPSB) said Monday.

The behind-the-meter project will serve the electric

load of an adjacent data center, and not be physically connected

to the electric grid, the board said.

The facility will be constructed and operated by Will-Power

OH, LLC, a subsidiary of the Williams Companies ( WMB ), while

Sidecat, LLC, an affiliate of Meta Platforms Inc. ( META ) will

consume the electric power generated.

"Natural gas supply for the generation facility will come

from two 24-inch diameter gas pipelines that will be the subject

of future applications with the OPSB," the board added.