The Frontier Group of Companies is converting the former Bruce Mansfield Power Plant into a new natural gas-fired facility and co-located data center, a project poised to bring substantial economic benefits and energy independence to Pennsylvania.
The Bruce Mansfield Power Plant, a fixture in Pennsylvania's energy landscape for over four decades, is undergoing a monumental transformation at the hands of The Frontier Group of Companies (FGC). The 660-acre Shippingport Industrial Park, once home to a 2.7-gigawatt coal-fired plant, will soon host the Shippingport Power Station, a significantly larger and more advanced natural gas generation facility, alongside a cutting-edge data center aimed at supporting America’s burgeoning AI infrastructure.
This comprehensive redevelopment project is not merely an energy initiative; it's a strategic move designed to deliver a massive economic jolt to the people, businesses, and communities of Pennsylvania. FGC projects that the endeavor will inject over $6 billion in new economic activity into the state, encompassing direct and indirect spending, as well as induced economic output. The ripple effect of this investment is expected to be profound, generating more than 15,000 construction jobs and creating 340 new full-time positions in the region. Furthermore, the state stands to gain approximately $139 million in annual recurring revenue, including over $13 million in tax revenue, $36 million in labor income, and $6 million in local county tax revenue.
Upon its completion, the Shippingport Power Station is anticipated to provide substantial direct power to the prospective data center and other potential on-site uses. Crucially, it is also expected to contribute over one gigawatt of excess capacity back to PJM Interconnection, the largest power grid operator in the United States. This significant contribution will bolster both regional and national power supply, thereby enhancing overall grid reliability.
A cornerstone of the Shippingport Power Station's operation will be its reliance on natural gas. The plant is expected to utilize approximately 800 million cubic feet per day of natural gas, sourced directly from the abundant Marcellus and Utica shales located in Western Pennsylvania. EQT Corporation, the largest integrated natural gas producer in the U.S., has committed to serving as the new plant’s natural gas supplier.
Adding another layer of crucial infrastructure, National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation, a subsidiary of National Fuel Gas Company with extensive experience in the natural gas industry, will serve as the transporter for a significant portion of the natural gas supplies.
This ambitious project at Shippingport is poised to redefine the region's energy landscape, ushering in a new era of economic prosperity and bolstering America's energy security for decades to come.
