Homer City to become gas-powered data center campus

Zoom in: The 3,200-acre energy campus announced Wednesday will be capable of generating up to 4.5 gigawatts — enough to power most of Manhattan — and its output would double that of the original coal plant, making it the country's largest gas-powered plant, according to Homer City Redevelopment.

• The Indiana County site would be the largest electricity producer in the state.
• Developers say the project would support 1,000 permanent jobs and thousands more during construction.
• Output would rival Georgia's Vogtle plant — the largest nuclear power facility in the U.S., according to the Wall Street Journal.

Zoom out: Over $10 billion will be invested to equip the site with infrastructure to supply power to both data centers and the broader grid.

• The project comes as PJM warns of a looming energy shortfall driven by aging plant retirements and surging demand from data centers.

Between the lines: The exploding demand for electricity from AI model training and high-performance computing is pushing tech companies to seek energy-rich locations. The need for round-the-clock power is shifting attention back to fossil fuels.

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," Homer City Redevelopment CEO William Wexler said in a statement.

What's next: Groundbreaking is expected in 2025, with power production targeted for 2027.