IEP Building 944 MW Behind The Meter Gas For Pennsylvania Data Center

International Electric Power is developing a 944 MW behind-the-meter, gas-fired plant to power a new data center in Pennsylvania.

The data center is being developed in Greene County. It will also include battery storage and a backup grid connection to ensure continued reliability.

IEP is a private power developer. Essential Utilities, Inc., which is publicly held, will invest $26 million in the project to develop a water treatment capability for the facility through its subsidiary Aqua. Essential’s other subsidiary, People, is the biggest gas utility in the state and will provide gas consulting and energy management services.

This announcement comes at a tumultuous time in the region, as many large loads are facing trouble securing power within the PJM Interconnection. Thanks to historically complicated processes and a lengthy queue, many big projects are waiting too long to secure electricity.

IEP plans to collocate behind-the-meter power to avoid PJM altogether. However, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission launched a review earlier this year related to colocating large loads and power plants within PJM. That review is still ongoing.