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TECfusions Unveils Massive 1,400-Acre Data Center Project With 3 Gigawatts Of Natural Gas-Fired Power Generation In Westmoreland County

On January 14, TECfusions announced the acquisition of 1,395 acres in Upper Burrell, Westmoreland County for a data center project, known as TECfusions Keystone Connect.

This strategic purchase, which includes the former Alcoa R&D campus and surrounding real estate, marks a significant expansion of TECfusions' portfolio.

The project will transform the shuttered office and industrial site into a state-of-the-art data center campus, with plans for 3 gigawatts of natural gas-fired power generation capacity to be deployed over six years.

[3 gigawatts of electricity is equal to the power used by 2.25 million households. There are 154,385 households in Westmoreland County.]

Notably, 12 MW of capacity is immediately available, showcasing TECfusions' ability to rapidly deliver infrastructure to meet growing demand for AI and high-performance computing.

In addition, the company was recently awarded a $2 million grant through Pennsylvania's Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), a program to incentivize design, acquisition, and construction of improvement projects such as TECfusions' adaptive reuse approach.

"TECfusions Keystone Connect demonstrates our unwavering commitment to investing in the communities where we operate," said Simon Tusha, Founder and CTO of TECfusions. "By revitalizing a historic site and creating thousands of high-quality jobs, we're paving the way for sustainable economic growth that benefits everyone in the region. By the time the site is complete, we expect it to be one of the largest data centers ever constructed."

"This project exemplifies our dedication to both growth and community impact," said Steve Hershey, VP of Government and Regulatory Affairs for TECfusions. "By repurposing the former Alcoa campus, we're not just building another data center; we're breathing new life into a historic industrial site and creating thousands of jobs in the process."

The Upper Burrell facility will feature on-site power generation using natural gas, enabling dual utility and microgrid capabilities. This approach ensures reliability, efficiency, and reduced dependency on increasingly costly utility power.

TECfusions is also in discussions to export excess power to support the local grid, further benefiting the community.

State Representative Jill Cooper of the 55th District expressed enthusiasm for the project: "TECfusions' investment in Upper Burrell is fantastic news for our region. It's heartening to see this once-vibrant industrial site find new purpose in the digital age, potentially bringing back jobs for former Alcoa employees and creating new opportunities for our workforce."

Senator Joe Pittman remarked, "This project represents a significant leap forward in our efforts to diversify and modernize the local economy. The scale of this data center and its potential to attract ancillary businesses will be a benefit to Western Pennsylvania."

Jason Rigone, Executive Director at Westmoreland County Industrial Development, commented, "TECfusions' innovative approach to adaptive reuse sets a new standard for sustainable development in our region. This project not only repurposes existing infrastructure and leverages local natural resources but also positions Westmoreland County as a hub for the digital economy."

Jim Smith, President & CEO of Economic Growth Connection, added, "The TECfusions project is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of our community. It bridges our industrial heritage with the future of technology, creating a pathway for sustained economic growth and job creation."

This expansion reinforces TECfusions' position as an industry leader in high-density, AI-ready data center deployments.

The Upper Burrell facility's massive scale and impressive fiber network will enable cutting-edge applications while supporting digital infrastructure growth throughout the region.

The adaptive reuse approach not only accelerates deployment but also significantly reduces the project's environmental footprint.

As the project progresses, TECfusions remains committed to sustainable practices, including emissions reduction and efficient resource use.

The phased deployment approach ensures responsible growth aligned with market demand and community needs.

Click Here for the TECfusion announcement.

Extreme Cold Alert!

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PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:

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-- What The Shale Gas Industry Is Leaving Behind: Diversified Production LLC Starts 2025 With 11 Violations For Abandoning, Not Plugging Shale Gas Wells [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - January 18 [PaEN]

-- DEP Posted 107 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In January 18 PA Bulletin [PaEN]

What The Shale Gas, Conventional Oil & Gas Industry Is Leaving Behind:

-- What The Shale Gas Industry Is Leaving Behind: Diversified Production LLC Starts 2025 With 11 Violations For Abandoning, Not Plugging Shale Gas Wells [PaEN]

-- What The Conventional Oil & Gas Industry Is Leaving Behind: Abandoned Conventional Oil & Gas Wells On Federal Lands - Shenango River Lake, Allegheny National Forest [PaEN]

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