Blackstone to invest $25B in Pennsylvania’s digital and energy infrastructure, catalyzing $60B more, creating jobs and advancing AI capabilities.
Blackstone has unveiled plans to invest over $25 billion in Pennsylvania to expand the state’s digital and energy infrastructure. Managed through Blackstone Infrastructure and Blackstone Real Estate, this significant initiative is projected to spark an additional $60 billion in investment across the Commonwealth. The announcement reinforces Blackstone’s role as a leading investor in data centers and energy infrastructure.
Jon Gray, President and Chief Operating Officer of Blackstone, emphasized the company’s focus on key investment themes: “We are enthusiastic about supporting digital infrastructure and energy, two of our strongest conviction areas, in a region uniquely suited to bolster the United States’ leadership in the AI revolution. We look forward to close collaboration with local communities, governments, and residents to foster long-term economic growth in Pennsylvania.”
Sean Klimczak, Global Head of Infrastructure at Blackstone, highlighted Pennsylvania’s transformation into a center for AI innovation. He underscored Blackstone’s intent to work with PPL, a prominent utility based in Allentown, to establish new natural gas-powered generation facilities essential to sustaining the infrastructure required for AI technologies. Nadeem Meghji, Blackstone’s Global Co-Head of Real Estate, added that the company’s history of successful collaboration with governments and communities positions it well to drive shared success. He reaffirmed Blackstone’s leadership in data center investments and its role in achieving national digital infrastructure objectives.
Investment Highlights:
• Immediate Development Plans: QTS, a Blackstone-backed entity and the world’s largest independent data center operator, has secured multiple land sites across Northeastern Pennsylvania. These sites will host state-of-the-art data centers. Additionally, QTS plans to issue a Request for Information to identify more communities interested in hosting new facilities.
• Strategic Partnership: A joint venture has been formed with PPL to invest in new natural gas generation capacity. This move will provide the robust energy support needed for Pennsylvania’s evolving role in America’s reindustrialization and AI-powered economy.
• Job Creation: The development phase is projected to create or support over 6,000 jobs annually over a decade. Once operational, QTS and its clients are expected to create or support more than 3,000 permanent positions. Blackstone also intends to build on its long-standing collaboration with labor unions to support these initiatives.
• Energy Advantage: With 20% of the nation’s natural gas coming from Pennsylvania, the state is strategically positioned to deliver affordable, abundant energy—crucial for powering AI-driven infrastructure.
• Fast-Tracked Permitting: Through Pennsylvania’s new “Fast Track” permitting system, QTS will collaborate with officials at all levels to ensure timely project approvals aligned with national AI infrastructure priorities.
• Community Engagement: In line with Pennsylvania’s infrastructure goals, Blackstone and QTS plan to initiate various community engagement and volunteer programs across the state.
Tag Greason, Co-CEO of QTS, noted that Pennsylvania is becoming a high-demand market for hyperscalers and digital infrastructure clients. Construction is expected to commence by the end of 2028, pending regulatory and utility approvals.
