Calpine LLC is moving ahead with the development of a more than $1 billion natural gas–fired power plant in Moundsville, reviving a long-stalled project and marking one of the largest private energy investments in Marshall County’s history.

The plant will support PJM Interconnection’s regional grid as demand for reliable power generation rises across the eastern U.S. Calpine revived the project last year after it sat dormant for more than a decade, citing improved market conditions and stronger fundamentals for gas-fired generation.

Construction is expected to create more than 400 jobs, with approximately 25 permanent positions once the facility becomes operational. The project was first proposed in 2014 by a different developer but failed to advance until Calpine took over development.

Economic Impact

State officials view the project as a cornerstone investment for West Virginia’s energy economy. Since October, the state has announced roughly $6.5 billion in new private-sector investment tied to nearly 7,000 projected jobs, figures that rise to about $8 billion and more than 8,000 jobs when combined with recent federal broadband and rural health initiatives.

Calpine said strong demand within PJM and the need for grid reliability drove the decision to move forward. The company operates a large fleet of gas-fired generation assets across the U.S. and positions the Moundsville plant as part of a broader effort to reinforce regional power supply amid growing electricity consumption.

The development underscores West Virginia’s continued role in U.S. energy infrastructure, as utilities and grid operators prioritize dispatchable generation to balance renewable growth and rising industrial and data-driven electricity demand.

The Calpine project adds to a growing pipeline of large-scale industrial investment across West Virginia, following recent announcements such as Frontieras North America’s $850 million advanced coal facility planned for Mason County.

Project Factsheet: Calpine Natural Gas Power Plant – Moundsville, West Virginia

Project Overview

Developer: Calpine LLC (a business unit of Constellation)

Location: Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia

Project Type: Natural Gas Power Plant

Total Investment: More than $1 billion

Status: Development phase (project revived in 2024 after being dormant since 2014)

Economic Impact

Construction Phase:

More than 400 construction jobs

Operations Phase:

Approximately 25 permanent jobs

Ongoing tax revenues for local community

Targeted philanthropic support for education, workforce development, environmental projects, and economic opportunity

Significance:

One of the largest energy investments in Marshall County history

Part of approximately $6.5 billion in new private-sector investment secured since October 2024

Contributes to nearly 7,000 projected new private-sector jobs statewide

Project Background

Original Proposal: 2014 (by different developer)

Project Revival: 2024 (by Calpine LLC)

Development Drivers:

Improved market conditions

Strong demand for reliable power generation in PJM regional grid

Governor Morrisey’s 50 by 50 initiative

Strategic Benefits

Expands West Virginia’s energy infrastructure

Strengthens regional power grid reliability

Positions state to meet growing national energy demand

Reinforces West Virginia’s role in America’s energy security

Supports local community economic development