The former Homer City Generating Station — once Pennsylvania’s largest coal-fired power plant — is set to be transformed into a massive natural gas-powered data center campus.
Why it matters:
This ambitious redevelopment positions the Pittsburgh region as a growing hub for artificial intelligence, aligning aging infrastructure with surging AI-driven energy demand.
As legacy coal plants retire and energy needs skyrocket due to AI and high-performance computing, Homer City’s transformation marks a broader shift in U.S. energy trends.
Zoom in:
Announced Wednesday, the new 3,200-acre energy and data campus will be capable of generating up to 4.5 gigawatts — more than double the output of the original coal facility and enough to power most of Manhattan. According to Homer City Redevelopment, this would make it the largest gas-powered plant in the United States and the biggest electricity generator in Pennsylvania.
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The project is expected to create 1,000 permanent jobs and support thousands more during construction.
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Its output would rival that of Georgia’s Vogtle plant — the largest nuclear power facility in the U.S.
Zoom out:
The project will require more than $10 billion in investment to develop infrastructure capable of supplying energy to both on-site data centers and the broader electric grid.
The announcement comes as grid operator PJM Interconnection warns of potential energy shortfalls amid widespread plant retirements and booming demand from data centers.
Between the lines:
AI model training and high-performance computing are dramatically increasing electricity consumption. The demand for uninterrupted, high-capacity power is shifting tech industry interest back toward fossil fuel-based solutions — particularly in energy-abundant regions.
What they’re saying:
“This project will honor Homer City’s place in the proud history of Pennsylvania energy generation, while accelerating the state and local community’s ability to meet the needs of a rapidly shifting energy landscape,” said William Wexler, CEO of Homer City Redevelopment.
What’s next:
Groundbreaking is slated for 2025, with the site expected to begin power generation by 2027.