Aug 25, 2025 | Posted by Abdul-Rahman Oladimeji
Essential Utilities, a US-based utility company focusing on natural gas and wastewater treatment, has invested $26 million into a data center project in development in Greene County, Pennsylvania.
The utility signed an agreement with independent power producer International Electric Power III (IEP) to become an investor in the planned 1,400-acre data center. The data center is set to be powered behind-the-meter via 944MW of natural gas combined cycle combustion turbines, supported by a battery energy storage system, and backed up through an existing grid connection.
“This is an exciting partnership that provides us the opportunity to leverage our expertise both in water and natural gas and highlights our capabilities as we work with hyperscalers to facilitate the growth of data centers to power the new age of Artificial Intelligence, here in Pennsylvania,” said Chris Franklin, Essential Utilities chairman and CEO.
“Pennsylvania’s abundant natural resources, world-class workforce, and strong federal, state, and local official support drew us to Greene County, and Essential’s investment allows us to take the next step toward making this exciting project a reality for Pennsylvania,” said IEP CEO Peter Dailey.
