Pennsylvania sees surge in data center and energy infrastructure projects

Data center developers are increasingly securing independent energy sources in Pennsylvania to meet the surging power demands of artificial intelligence.

Talen Energy, through a partnership with River Pointe Logistics known as Slate Belt Holdings LLC, is seeking to develop a large-scale data center campus in Upper Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County. The proposed project could include up to 23 buildings and a 480MW on-site substation. The developers are currently challenging local zoning ordinances that they claim unlawfully exclude data center uses.

Separately, AI infrastructure company Alpha Compute has signed a binding term sheet to acquire land and natural gas rights in northern Pennsylvania for $55 million. CEO Brittany Kaiser stated the project aims to develop a 200-megawatt campus that integrates gas-fired power generation using Marcellus shale gas. The facility, which could eventually expand to one gigawatt of power, is expected to begin operations in the third quarter of 2027.