A large-scale gas-fired power plant with a capacity of 4.5 gigawatts is set to be built by Kiewit on the site of the former Homer City coal-fired facility in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. The project aims to supply energy to a new data centre campus designed for artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) operations. This new Pennsylvania gas plant will significantly increase energy output.
Project Location and Background
The facility will be developed on a 3,200-acre site where the Homer City coal power plant previously operated before its closure in 2023. This marks a shift in land use from traditional fossil fuel power generation to infrastructure supporting modern digital needs. The new gas plant in Pennsylvania will play a pivotal role in this transformation.
Power Capacity and Technology
The power plant will be equipped with seven GE Vernova 7HA.02 gas turbines, with deliveries expected to begin in 2026. Once operational, this Pennsylvania power facility will generate 4.5 GW, making it the largest natural gas power plant of its kind in the United States.
Main Purpose of the Project
The primary goal of this plant is to meet the growing energy demand of data centres—particularly those specialising in AI processing and high-performance computing. The Pennsylvania gas facility will also supply electricity to thousands of homes via the regional power grid.
Environmental Impact and Emissions
“The new gas plant is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% to 65% per megawatt-hour compared to the previous coal-fired facility.”
— Official project statement, April 2025
Estimated Timeline
- Construction Start: Late 2025
- Operational Date: Between mid and late 2027
- Turbine Delivery: Beginning in 2026
Employment Opportunities
The project is expected to create over 10,000 onsite construction jobs during the building phase and approximately 1,000 long-term direct and indirect jobs in operations, technology, and infrastructure. A gas power plant in Pennsylvania will thus offer significant employment opportunities.
Natural Resources
The facility will utilise natural gas sourced from the nearby Marcellus Shale, one of the largest natural gas fields in the U.S. The use of these resources will support operations at the Pennsylvania gas plant.
Infrastructure Investment
“More than $10 billion will be invested in energy infrastructure and site preparation, with further billions to follow in data center development.”
— BusinessWire report, April 2025
Summary Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Indiana County, Pennsylvania |
| Site Area | Over 3,200 acres |
| Power Capacity | 4.5 GW |
| Fuel Type | Natural Gas |
| Turbines | 7 GE Vernova 7HA.02 |
| Construction Start | Late 2025 |
| Expected Operation | 2027 |
| Emissions Reduction | 60% to 65% vs. coal |
| Construction Jobs | 10,000+ |
| Permanent Jobs | Around 1,000 |
| Infrastructure Cost | Over $10 billion |
