What's ahead for Talen Energy's cumulus data center project

Talen Energy’s Cumulus hyperscale data center in Salem Township was given the go-ahead by officials just a few two weeks ago and is pinned to bring thousands of new jobs and economic opportunities to the area. This includes $1-3 million in property taxes for the township. On top of these economic benefits, the project will also reportedly bring carbon-free energy to the area.

On Thursday, Berwick Industrial Development Association (B.I.D.A.) held an open town hall to discuss the large-scale project.

Speaking about the opportunities the project will bring to the township, John Augustine, Penn’s Northeast Economic Developer said: “We are expanding the infrastructure, sewer and water, but more importantly from an economic development standpoint we are putting Salem Township and Berwick on an international map. We are talking bitcoin, crypto currency it’s a buzz word everywhere. We talk about companies like Facebook, apple, amazon, are all going to be vying for a home to use these data facilities right here.”

Legislators and local officials attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the hyperscale data center at the beginning of October. At the ceremony, Alex Hernandez, President of Talen Energy, said: “We're doing so because the world around us is changing swiftly, particularly in the convergence between technology, infrastructure, and carbon free energy.”

Adding: “Carbon free power from the Susquehanna will be transformed to computing power. These clean electrons, when converted to bits of information, will be exported from Salem Township across fiber optic networks, from our campus, across the United States and the world.”

Construction is expected to be completed by the second half of next year if all goes to plan.