TECfusions, a prominent data center firm, has secured a former manufacturing site outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for its next major project. The site, previously owned by metal manufacturer Arconic, is located in Upper Burrell, approximately 25 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. The acquisition was finalized on December 2, according to a statement to TribLive. Financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed.
Background on the Arconic Site
The 1,350-acre property, formerly part of the Arconic Technology Center, has a storied history. Originally established by Alcoa Corporation in 1964, the campus was later rebranded after Arconic spun off from Alcoa in 2016. At its peak in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the site employed around 1,200 individuals. In 2022, Arconic announced plans to divest four of its seven buildings on the campus, paving the way for TECfusions’ acquisition.
Alcoa continues to operate on a portion of the site, maintaining its legacy presence in the area. The new TECfusions campus will span 500,000 square feet (46,451 square meters) and is expected to deliver 3GW of capacity upon full completion.
Timeline and Project Phases
TECfusions plans to develop the campus in multiple phases, with construction set to begin next year. The first phase will provide approximately 336MW of capacity, while the entire project is anticipated to conclude by 2031.
Melissa Farney, a spokesperson for TECfusions, confirmed the phased approach to TribLive, emphasizing the company’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge data center solutions for AI and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads.
Company Profile and Vision
Founded in 2023 and helmed by former QTS CTO Simon Tusha, TECfusions specializes in designing, building, and managing data centers tailored for advanced computing needs. The company’s portfolio already includes operational facilities in Clarksville, Virginia, and Tucson, Arizona. Plans for an additional site in Tampa, Florida, are also in the pipeline.
Key Partnerships
TECfusions has secured a significant partnership with GPU cloud firm TensorWave, which recently inked a 1GW hosting agreement. This collaboration underscores TECfusions’ role as a key player in supporting next-generation computing demands.
FAQs About TECfusions’ New Data Center
1. What is the total capacity of the new TECfusions campus?
The new campus in Upper Burrell will provide 3GW of capacity upon full build-out.
2. When will the first phase of the project be operational?
The first phase, offering 336MW of capacity, is set to begin construction next year and will likely be operational soon after.
3. Why was the Arconic site chosen for this project?
The site’s extensive infrastructure, strategic location near Pittsburgh, and availability of vacant buildings made it an ideal choice for TECfusions’ expansion.
4. What workloads will the data center support?
The data center will focus on AI and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads.
5. Who are TECfusions’ major clients?
TensorWave, a GPU cloud firm, is a notable client, with a 1GW hosting deal already in place.