Amazon announced a $20 billion plan to build two data center complexes in Pennsylvania, marking one of the largest infrastructure investments in the state’s history. The projects, set to leverage both nuclear energy and grid power, highlight the tech giant’s push to meet surging demand for cloud computing and AI services.
One facility will be constructed adjacent to the Susquehanna nuclear power plant in northeastern Pennsylvania, where Amazon aims to directly source electricity. The second complex will occupy a former U.S. Steel site in Fairless Hills, drawing power through the regional grid. Kevin Miller, Amazon Web Services’ vice president of global data centers, confirmed the dual-location strategy to The Associated Press.
The move comes as data centers face scrutiny over energy consumption and economic impact. While critics argue these facilities create limited long-term jobs, proponents emphasize their role in generating construction employment, vendor contracts, and local tax revenue. Pennsylvania is offering tax exemptions on data center equipment and potential incentives worth tens of millions of dollars to secure the investment.
This expansion aligns with Amazon’s $10 billion data center commitments in Mississippi, Indiana, Ohio, and North Carolina since early 2024. The race to build AI-ready infrastructure has intensified among tech firms, with global data center electricity demand projected to double by 2026 according to the International Energy Agency.
