Plans for a data center campus in Archbald are driving significant upgrades to the local electrical infrastructure. PPL Electric Utilities is set to enhance its transmission systems in Lackawanna County, a move that coincides with the proposed development of a data center in the area.
Next Tuesday, PPL will host an open house from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Throop Community Civic Center, located at 500 Sanderson St., Throop. This event will provide an opportunity for the public to learn more about the project, although there won’t be a formal presentation.
According to PPL’s project webpage, “The new substation, switchyard and transmission lines will support new customer connections and strengthen reliability across the region. By upgrading equipment and adding new power pathways, we are reducing outage risks and ensuring dependable service for all customers.”
The utility company has not confirmed whether the new customers include data centers. A PPL spokesperson mentioned that they do not publicly disclose new customer identities but regularly receive service requests.
The project is expected to commence in the summer of 2027 and conclude by the summer of 2030, pending approval from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
Electricity Demand Surge
The new Archbald Mountain Substation and Winton Switchyard will be positioned near Salem Road off the Casey Highway. These installations will be adjacent to the proposed site for a data center campus by Green Mountain 6 LLC, planning to build on 272 acres with seven two-story buildings.
PPL emphasizes that the Archbald Mountain project and other transmission lines are crucial for meeting the rising demand for electricity in the region.
Zoning approval applications for the data center campus were submitted by Attorney Jeff Wilhelm of Reed Smith in Pittsburgh, referencing a PPL-owned switchyard within the application.
New 230 kV transmission lines will connect the Archbald Mountain Substation to a customer facility, necessitating a new 250-foot-wide right-of-way corridor.
PPL’s Development Blueprint
- Construction of a 500/230 kV substation, known as the Archbald Mountain Substation.
- Establishment of Winton, Callender Gap, and Sturges 230 kV switchyards, with eight miles of new transmission lines.
- Installation of parallel double-circuit 230 kV lines extending three miles to a facility near Moosic Lake Road.
- Segmentation and extension of existing 230 kV and 500 kV lines into a new substation.
- Callender Gap Switchyard will be linked to the existing Lackawanna–Paupack 230 kV line.
- Sturges Switchyard will connect to the Summit–Lackawanna 230 kV line, with new lines extending to customer facilities.
- Approximately three miles of new double-circuit 230 kV line will link the Sturges and Callender Gap switchyards.
- Utilization of new and existing right-of-way, with tree removal in newly acquired areas.
- Construction of switchyards on customer-acquired property.
The transmission lines are planned to span Archbald, Jessup, Olyphant, and Jefferson Township.
Understanding Key Terms
- Transmission lines: High voltage carriers connecting power plants to demand centers.
- Switchyard: An area housing electrical infrastructure to control power flow.
- Substation: Facilities containing equipment to manage and transform high voltage power.
Future Steps
Post-open house, PPL Electric will engage with local landowners to secure easements for the project. For further information, visit pplarchbaldmountainproject.com or email ArchbaldMountainProject@pplweb.com.
