The Homer City Generating Station, previously known as Pennsylvania’s largest coal-burning power plant, is set to undergo a significant transformation into a major data center campus powered by natural gas, with the capacity to deliver up to 4.5 GW of electricity, as announced by developers.
Homer City Redevelopment (HCR) and Kiewit Power Constructors Company have entered into a $10 billion agreement to convert the Homer City site into a sprawling 3,200-acre data center specifically designed for artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) applications.
As part of the deal, GE Vernova will supply seven high-efficiency hydrogen-enabled, gas-fired turbines, with the initial deliveries scheduled to commence in 2026.
The construction of the Homer City Energy Campus will be overseen by Kiewit Power Constructors, leveraging much of the existing infrastructure from the former coal plant. The facility is anticipated to commence power generation by 2027.
William Wexler, the president and CEO of HCR, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating that it will pay homage to Homer City’s role in Pennsylvania’s energy history while facilitating the state and local community’s transition to meet the evolving energy landscape.
Key Stats of the Homer City Data Center Project include:
– Provision of up to 4.5 gigawatts (GW) of power to support AI-driven hyperscale data centers.
– Creation of over 10,000 on-site construction-related jobs and approximately 1,000 permanent positions.
– Initial capital investment exceeding $10 billion for power infrastructure and site preparation, with additional billions allocated for data center development.
This initiative is hailed as the “largest capital investment in the history of Pennsylvania,” positioning the state as a significant hub for AI advancements. Supporters believe that the project will deliver more affordable and reliable energy, stimulate local economic growth through job creation, and enable Pennsylvania to play a leading role in the AI landscape.
Scott Strazik, CEO of GE Vernova, emphasized the transformative impact of investing in power infrastructure, highlighting the benefits of this project in terms of energy affordability, job creation, and Pennsylvania’s leadership in AI innovation.
This endeavor reflects a broader trend in the data center industry of repurposing power plants and energy facilities to meet the escalating demand for digital infrastructure. Notably, Microsoft recently unveiled plans to revive Pennsylvania’s dormant Three Mile Island nuclear plant to generate over 800 MW of power for its data center operations, underscoring the industry’s shift towards sustainable and efficient energy sources.
