Key Highlights:
- The energy services firm launched by Energy Secretary Chris Wright has teamed up to deliver dedicated power generation for data centers and large-load customers at an 875-acre industrial park being developed near Pittsburgh.
- Liberty Energy will set up modular 25-MW gas-fired power blocks alongside clients in the Fort Cherry Development District, and there is potential to enhance generation capacity to 1 GW or more, according to Mike Brady, Senior Vice President of Power Generation Execution at Liberty Energy.
- A subsidiary of Range Resources Corporation will supply the power systems’ fuel from the nearby Marcellus Shale, which is noted for its lower emissions compared to other areas in the U.S.
Insights:
Liberty’s announcement follows recent plans revealed by Homer City Redevelopment and Kiewit Power Constructors, which aim to establish up to 4.5 GW of gas-fired electricity generation at the old Homer City coal plant, located about 60 miles from the Fort Cherry project.
As data centers face longer interconnection times and grid congestion, many are opting for onsite power generation to ensure reliability and quick access to electricity, as highlighted in a recent report by Bloom Energy.
If the Homer City facility is completed, it will stand as the largest gas-fired power plant in the country, supplying a sprawling data center campus across 3,200 acres, according to the developers.
Scott Strazik, CEO of GE Vernova, has mentioned that the demand for gas-fired generation is driving a backlog of orders for gas turbines and related equipment, with plans to increase production capacity significantly by 2027.
While the Fort Cherry project will not depend on GE Vernova or other manufacturers for gas turbines, Liberty Energy is utilizing efficient natural gas generation equipment that can be deployed quickly. They plan to provide power for the project’s initial phase within a year.
In March, Liberty Energy acquired IMG Energy Systems, known for modular power designs that enable quick deployments for microgrids, which is essential for data centers and similar uses.
The primary goal for the generation assets at Fort Cherry is to serve the industrial clients in the park while also being built to potentially supply power to the grid, according to Brady.
Range Resources emphasizes that the abundant gas reserves in the Marcellus Shale can meet extensive supply needs for data center clients and large industrial tenants.
The exact timeline for developing the Fort Cherry District is not clear. Earlier, a 20-acre parcel was sold to accommodate nearly 200,000 square feet of various facilities, and three pad-ready development sites were completed for phase one. However, no specific tenants have been announced yet. Ultimately, the district could support around 6 million square feet of finished space.