Data Center Tenant Announcement Imminent at Upper Burrell Site
TECfusions is preparing to finalize a tenant agreement for its new data center located at the vacant Arconic property in Upper Burrell. According to a company spokeswoman, this announcement could come within weeks as negotiations are currently underway.
The data center developer acquired the 1,395-acre former Alcoa Research Center site last winter. Data centers are critical infrastructure housing servers, storage, and networking equipment for various companies and organizations.
Significant Regional Infrastructure Developments
This move follows recent developments in Springdale, where a new data center project is planned on the site of a former power plant. That project, targeting artificial intelligence (AI) technology firms, could demand up to 180 megawatts of power — enough to supply approximately 150,000 average homes.
In contrast, the Upper Burrell site has the potential to utilize up to 3 gigawatts of power over about 20 years. To put this in perspective, this is roughly three times the output of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant near Harrisburg. Nearby, the Aspen Generation gas-fired plant in Springdale Township produces around 556 megawatts.
Energy Plans and Infrastructure Use
TECfusions plans to primarily power the data center using natural gas available on-site, minimizing reliance on the local electric utility, West Penn Power, which would supply only about 280 megawatts. This approach supports operational efficiency and energy management tailored to the facility's needs.
Tenant-Specific Facility Configuration
The company is currently preparing space within existing buildings to accommodate a new tenant. While other tenants occupy the site, they are not data center clients. Once a lease is signed, TECfusions will begin reconfiguring the buildings to meet the specific requirements of the tenant.
Construction of the data center component itself depends entirely on tenant needs. Data centers, especially those supporting AI deployments, require specialized configurations and cooling solutions based on the servers and equipment used. TECfusions estimates that the first building could be operational within six months following tenant confirmation.
Community Engagement and Local Impact
TECfusions plans to hold a public informational meeting this fall to engage with the Upper Burrell community, address questions, and foster a constructive partnership. Details on the meeting date and time will be announced later.
Local officials, including Upper Burrell supervisors, have expressed excitement about the project’s potential impact. Ross G. Walker III, chairman of the supervisors, compared TECfusions’ arrival to the transformative effect Alcoa had on New Kensington decades ago, highlighting the significant economic and community benefits anticipated.
What This Means for Real Estate and Construction Professionals
- Development Opportunity: The scale of this project presents a major opportunity for contractors, engineers, and suppliers involved in large-scale construction and infrastructure development.
- Specialized Construction Needs: Tenant-specific data center builds require precise architectural, electrical, and mechanical integration, especially for cooling and power systems.
- Energy Infrastructure Coordination: Understanding the integration of natural gas power with utility supply is critical for planning and permits.
- Community Relations: Proactive public engagement can smooth the permitting and construction phases, minimizing disruptions.
As data center demand grows, particularly from AI-focused enterprises, projects like TECfusions’ Upper Burrell facility underscore the importance of adaptable construction strategies and energy planning in modern real estate development.
For those interested in the technical and operational aspects of AI data centers, exploring specialized AI training courses can provide valuable insights into the computing demands driving these facilities.
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