Energy Capital Partners, the parent company of Calpine Corporation, has announced a groundbreaking $5 billion data center project at the York 2 Energy Center in southern York County. The project is set to make Pennsylvania a key hub in the nation’s AI and tech infrastructure boom.This initiative is part of a sweeping $90 billion investment across Pennsylvania, aimed at expanding data center capacity, energy infrastructure, and workforce development to support the rapid rise of artificial intelligence technologies.
Driving Economic Growth and Job Creation
The announcement came during the Pennsylvania Energy & Innovation Summit in Pittsburgh, where U.S. Senator Dave McCormick highlighted the project’s transformative scale. Kevin Schreiber, CEO of the York County Economic Alliance, praised the investment as a major economic win. The project is expected to generate around 2,500 construction jobs and significantly benefit local businesses through supply chain activity and increased service demand. In essence, the data center is not only a tech milestone but also a robust economic engine for the region.
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Built on Strong Energy Infrastructure
The data center will be located at Calpine’s York 2 Energy Center, an 828-megawatt dual-fuel combined-cycle gas turbine power station in Peach Bottom Township. It will also benefit from proximity to the Peach Bottom Clean Energy Center, a nuclear facility operated by Constellation Energy and PSEG. The nuclear plant currently employs more than 750 people and recently filed to extend its operating license through 2054. This unique blend of energy assets ensures the new data hub will have access to reliable, high-capacity power essential for running advanced computing systems.
York County’s Transformation into a Tech-Energy Hub
Once primarily known for its role in traditional power generation, York County is now embracing a new identity. The transition from a power supplier to a high-tech data host signifies a historic evolution. Local leaders like Commissioner Julie Wheeler see this project as a launchpad into a new era, aligning York with national trends in energy and digital innovation. With the rise of AI demanding localized, secure data centers powered by dependable energy, York County is strategically positioned. The investment isn’t just reshaping the skyline; it’s redefining the county’s role in the global digital economy, bridging its industrial past with a tech-driven future.
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York 2 Energy Data Center Project Overview
Location: York 2 Energy Center site, Peach Bottom Township, York County, Pennsylvania
Total Investment: $5 billion
Developer: Energy Capital Partners (parent company of Calpine Corporation)
Purpose: To establish a high-capacity data center supporting AI infrastructure and digital services
Site Advantage: Powered by the existing 828 MW dual-fuel York 2 Energy Center
Nearby Assets: Adjacent to the Peach Bottom Clean Energy Center (nuclear facility jointly operated by Constellation Energy and PSEG)
Job Creation: Approximately 2,500 new construction jobs expected
Economic Impact: Project will boost local businesses, workforce development, and economic activity in York County
Strategic Importance: Part of a broader $90 billion state-level investment in AI, energy, and innovation
Energy Integration: Leverages existing natural gas and nuclear assets to ensure reliable data center operations
Government Support: Backed by U.S. Senator Dave McCormick and York County leadership
Sustainability Potential: Integration with low-emission and clean energy assets aligns with long-term energy transition goals
Long-Term Vision: Positions York County as a hub for tech-driven growth and energy innovation
