Massive 3 GW SWPA Gas-Fired AI/Data Center Builder to Speak at Conf
MDN has written numerous posts about AI (artificial intelligence) and the data centers that provide the computing power AI requires. Why? AI data centers use enormous amounts of electricity, most of which is generated by natural gas-fired power plants. Some 25% of all the data centers currently operating in the country are located in northern Virginia, where they use Marcellus/Utica molecules. The entire data center sector is experiencing massive growth—much of it in the M-U. We previously told you about a must-attend event, the Appalachian AI Energy Conference, scheduled for May 21, 2025, at the Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh in Southpointe. Now comes word that the builder of a previously announced data center project in Westmoreland County, TECfusions Keystone Connect, will speak at the AI Energy Conference in May.
TECfusions, based in Tampa, Florida, has purchased 1,395 acres in Upper Burrell, PA, for a groundbreaking data center project called TECfusions Keystone Connect (see Massive 3 GW Gas-Fired AI/Data Center Coming to Southwest Pa.). The site is the old Alcoa R&D campus and the surrounding real estate in New Kensington. The project will transform the shuttered office and industrial site into a state-of-the-art data center campus, with plans to deploy 3 gigawatts (GW) of capacity over six years. Put another way, some 3,000 megawatts of electricity will be required to power it!
Where will all that electricity come from? The facility will feature on-site natural gas power generation, enabling dual utility and microgrid capabilities. In other words, the site can (likely will) use electricity from the local grid, generated by Marcellus gas. Still, it will also be able to use on-site microgrid generation fed by Marcellus gas. The net net is that Marcellus gas will power this massive facility. It will become an important and huge new customer for the Marcellus.
Attend the conference in May and get the inside skinny about this, and other, forthcoming data center projects.
From conference host and MDN friend Joe Barone at Shale Directories:
TECfusions, a leader in sustainable data center solutions, will speak at the Appalachian AI Energy Conference on May 21, 2025 at the Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh/Southpointe.
Mark Hamilton, COO of TECfusions, will discuss the acquisition of 1395 acres in Upper Burrell, PA, for a groundbreaking 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 and demonstrates the company’s commitment to adaptive reuse and community revitalization.
“We are looking forward to presenting at the Appalachian AI Energy Conference, where many of the major AI developers and suppliers will be in attendance,” said Mark Hamilton. “As AI workloads push the boundaries of power and infrastructure, TECfusions is leading the charge in developing scalable, energy-resilient data centers. This event is an opportunity to showcase how our innovative approach—combining adaptive reuse, rapid deployment, and on-site power generation—enables the next generation of AI-driven advancements.”
The TECfusion project will transform the shuttered office and industrial site into a state-of-the-art data center campus, with plans for 3 GW of capacity to be deployed over six years. 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.
“The addition of TECfusions to our list of speakers will complete our agenda of major AI supply chain players like CNX, Black & Veatch, and Siemens Energy,” commented Tom Gellrich, CEO and Founder, H2-CCS Network.
“The TECfusions Keystone Connect project is designed to set new benchmarks for AI infrastructure and energy resilience,” said Mark Hamilton. “By repurposing the former Alcoa campus, we are rapidly deploying high-density compute capacity while integrating on-site power generation. This ensures operational efficiency, energy security, and scalable growth for AI workloads—all within an accelerated construction timeline that keeps us ahead of market demand.”
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.*
*Shale Directories (Apr 8, 2025) – AI Data Center Developer, TECfusions, to Present at Appalachian AI Energy Conference