US utility PPL has reported that its pipeline of advanced-stage data center projects in Pennsylvania has grown to 35.3 GW, an increase of 3.5GW from the second quarter. The figure, disclosed during the company's third-quarter earnings call, marks the utility's 11th consecutive quarterly increase.

The Pipeline Grows for the 11th Consecutive Quarter

Across the Pennsylvania territory operated by PPL Electric, load signed under electric service agreements (ESAs) rose by 300 MW to approximately 11.4 GW, of which 8.5 GW is under construction, an increase of 2 GW from the previous quarter. The utility said it has connected two data centers and energized 300 MW of contracted load, which will ramp to about 2 GW.

"As projects move from initial agreements to ESAs and then into construction, we gain greater visibility into the infrastructure and generation that will ultimately be needed to serve this load," CEO Vince Sorgi said on the company's third-quarter earnings call.

Commercial Terms Agreed for 2 GW QTS Project in Salem Township

During the earnings call, PPL also confirmed it had agreed to commercial terms to supply about 2 GW of generation to a QTS data center in Salem Township, Pennsylvania. The deal was completed through Invitium Energy, PPL's joint venture with Blackstone Infrastructure, in which PPL holds a 51 percent stake.

The original agreement was signed under a non-binding Letter of Intent. Sorgi said the two teams are working on a long-form agreement but declined to provide a timeline. "These projects help meet rising energy demand while strengthening the PJM grid and supporting long-term energy affordability," he said.

To power the data center, PPL plans to utilize two combined-cycle gas plants plus fuel cells and battery storage. According to the company, the fuel cells and batteries could come online as early as 2029, with the gas plants following in 2032 and 2033.

Sorgi indicated that PPL expects to add further generation to support QTS operations. "If they look to expand on that Salem site and/or develop a different site, I would expect that we would be engaged in that process," he said. He added that Invitium is in talks with other customers. "It's certainly possible that we could have another announcement by year-end, but really not putting a timeline on it," Sorgi said.

Kentucky Pipeline grows by 1 GW

Beyond Pennsylvania, PPL reported growth in Kentucky, where its economic development pipeline grew by 1GW to 14.7GW through 2032, including 12.8GW of data center load.

Capital Plan Raised to USD 25 Billion

To meet growing demand, PPL has raised its capital investment plan to USD 25 billion for the period from 2027 to 2030, a USD 2 billion increase driven by an additional natural gas combined-cycle unit in Kentucky.

The company said that large load customers will pay for most of the added investment. Its large load tariffs in Pennsylvania and Kentucky "require data centers to cover the cost of serving them," Sorgi said. "So existing customers don't bear that burden."

Election Results Seen as Potential Benefit

When asked about the impacts of the recent midterm elections, Sorgi suggested results elsewhere could help PPL. "I do think some of the election results could in some other states potentially have a chilling impact, which could drive some of those projects or future development projects to both Pennsylvania and Kentucky," he said.

PPL's Footprint

PPL primarily serves the Pennsylvania market, delivering energy to more than 1.4 million customers across the state, in addition to its two subsidiaries in Louisville and wider Kentucky.

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