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Pennsylvania Invests $26 Billion in Data Centers

The future site of a major data center campus in Pennsylvania.

News Summary

Pennsylvania is set for a significant $26 billion investment to develop three data center projects, boosting its role in AI and technology. Announced at the Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit, this initiative includes a $15 billion campus in Carlisle and further projects by CoreWeave and Energy Capital Partners, projected to create thousands of jobs and enhance the state’s technological infrastructure. This investment comes alongside new land use regulations, positioning Pennsylvania as a leader in the AI landscape.

Pennsylvania is set to receive a monumental investment of $26 billion aimed at developing three major data center projects in the south-central region of the state. This substantial investment is expected to reinforce Pennsylvania’s role in the growing arena of artificial intelligence infrastructure and new technology economies.

The announcement was made during the Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit, an event graced by notable figures, including President Donald Trump and Governor Josh Shapiro. Highlighting the significance of this venture, Pennsylvania Data Center Partners and PowerHouse Data Centers revealed plans to establish a colossal $15 billion data center campus located in the Carlisle area of Cumberland County.

The proposed Carlisle campus will cover nearly 700 acres in Middlesex Township, featuring three hyperscale data center campuses, each comprising six buildings and a specially designed 450-megawatt substation. The centerpiece of this initiative will be the Pennsylvania Digital I data hub, which is projected to have an initial capacity of 1.35 gigawatts, with plans for future expansion to 1.8 gigawatts. The introduction of this hub is significant, showcasing the state’s commitment to advancing high-performance computing capability.

In addition to the Carlisle campus, CoreWeave is pledging $6 billion towards building a data center in Lancaster County. This facility is planned to have an initial capacity of 100 megawatts, expandable to 300 megawatts, and is anticipated to generate approximately 600 construction jobs, along with around 175 permanent positions after its completion. As an operator of 33 AI data centers, primarily located in the U.S., CoreWeave’s investment reflects the company’s strategy to address the persistent demand for high-performance AI computing resources.

Following closely, Energy Capital Partners has also announced a $5 billion data center project slated for York County. This project is forecasted to create an impressive 2,500 construction jobs, further driving local economic growth and employment opportunities in the region. In addition to the data center, Energy Capital Partners will invest in developing 51 community solar projects intended to provide power to about 24,000 homes, showcasing a commitment to sustainable energy resources alongside technological advancements.

The growing investment in data centers aligns with the recent adoption of land use regulations in Pennsylvania, specifically tailored to facilitate the establishment of data centers. New rules have been implemented for land impacting 694 acres off Country Club Road, supporting the development initiatives in this sector.

Senator Dave McCormick remarked on the investment as a groundbreaking addition to Pennsylvania’s AI infrastructure, signifying a transformative step toward enhancing the state’s technological capabilities. The substantial financial influx is part of broader efforts to bolster Pennsylvania’s position in the evolving AI technology economy, pivotal in shaping future innovations and infrastructure development in the state.

The combination of these large-scale investments will not only serve to elevate Pennsylvania as a critical player in the AI landscape but also significantly contribute to job creation, economic stability, and sustainable energy initiatives in the region. As the demand for AI computing continues to escalate, this investment is poised to put Pennsylvania at the forefront of the industry, fulfilling local and national technology needs in the years to come.