AWS Mattermeade Pennsylvania: $20B 1.9GW Nuclear AI Data Center
Status: Permitting / Site Preparation (March 2026) | Location: Salem Township (Luzerne) & Falls Township (Bucks), PA
Project Overview
Project Mattermeade is the largest private-sector investment in Pennsylvania's history. Announced in mid-2025 and moving into active permitting as of March 2026, the project centers on a landmark deal where AWS acquired a 1,200-acre campus adjacent to the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station. AWS will pay an estimated $18 billion to Talen Energy to supply up to 960MW of "behind-the-meter" nuclear power initially, scaling to 1.9GW. This allows AWS to bypass the PJM interconnection queue entirely. However, as of March 13, 2026, the project faces significant legislative headwinds. State Senator Katie Muth has proposed a three-year moratorium on hyperscale data centers to study their impact on the grid. Simultaneously, competing utilities have filed protests with FERC, arguing that AWS’s direct connection to the nuclear plant shifts $140 million in transmission costs onto average Pennsylvania ratepayers. Despite this, Governor Josh Shapiro has placed the project on a "fast track" permitting status to ensure the "future of AI runs through Pennsylvania."
Quick Facts
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Project Name | AWS Mattermeade Pennsylvania: $20B 1.9GW Nuclear AI Data Center |
| Location | Salem Township (Luzerne) & Falls Township (Bucks), PA |
| Status | Permitting / Site Preparation (March 2026) |
| Commissioning | Phase 1 Online: 2027; Full Buildout: 2030 |
| Total IT Load | 1.92 GW (Potential peak load across campuses) |
| Total Capacity | 15+ Hyperscale Buildings; Powered by Susquehanna Nuclear |
| Tier Level | Tier IV (Sovereign AI Infrastructure) |
| Project Type | Nuclear-Powered AI Training & Global Cloud Hub |
City Profile
| Header | Details |
|---|
| City Name | Shreveport |
| Population | ~187,000 |
| Urban Agglomeration | ~390,000 (Shreveport–Bossier City MSA) |
| City GDP | ~$17–20 billion (estimated, MSA) |
| Per Capita Income | ~$28,000–$30,000 |
| City Tier | Tier 3 (Mid-sized regional city) |
| Key Strengths | Strategic I-20 corridor location, established gaming & tourism sector, growing healthcare base, proximity to Texas markets, affordable real estate, emerging logistics and industrial activity |
Companies Involved
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Developer / Operator | Amazon Web Services |
| Strategic Infrastructure Partner | Pennsylvania DCED / Salem & Falls Township Officials. |
| Construction Contractor | TBD (Initial civil works by local PA contractors). |
| MEP Engineering | AWS Global Infrastructure / Jacobs. |
| Network Connectivity | Direct fiber routes to the Ashburn (VA) and New York corridors. |
| Power Infrastructure | 1.92 GW Nuclear tap; Integrated on-site BESS for grid stability. |
Technical Specifications
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Power Capacity | 1,920 MW (1.92 GW) |
| UPS Redundancy | $2N$ architecture with direct nuclear baseload feed. |
| Cooling System | High-efficiency closed-loop liquid cooling (River water integration). |
| Connectivity | Keystone node for AWS GovCloud and regional AI inference. |
| PUE Target | < 1.10 (Target for nuclear-adjacent facilities) |
| Energy Mix | 100% Carbon-Free (Nuclear baseload). |
Milestones
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Announcement | June 9, 2025 (Governor Josh Shapiro) |
| Construction Start | Expected Q4 2026 |
| Phase 1 Go-Live | 2027 |
| Full Buildout | 2030 |
Investment Details
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Total Investment | $20 Billion |
| Funding | Amazon Web Services Capital Expenditure. |