ArcLight Capital Partners, LLC (ArcLight), an investment firm specializing in energy infrastructure, has just announced definitive agreements to acquire 100% of the economic interests in Middletown Energy Center, a 484-megawatt natural gas power plant located in Butler County, Ohio. This investment comes amid significantly increasing electricity demand, particularly driven by data centers linked to artificial intelligence (AI).
A strategic asset within the PJM network
Operational since 2018, Middletown Energy Center is among the most efficient recent installations within the regional PJM Interconnection (PJM) network, the leading wholesale electricity market in the United States. Equipped with combined-cycle gas turbine technology, the facility benefits from advantageous natural gas supply, enabling it to reliably and consistently meet the region’s growing power demands.
Since entering operation, Middletown Energy Center has demonstrated solid and stable operational results, enhancing its attractiveness within the regional energy market. Its geographic position places it at the center of a highly strategic area, where energy consumption is rising sharply, driven by rapid development in data centers and digital infrastructure.
An acquisition aligned with ArcLight’s investment strategy
ArcLight thus continues its long-standing commitment to electric infrastructure, a sector in which the company has invested consistently since its establishment in 2001. To date, the firm has made more than 50 investments in this area and manages the largest private power infrastructure portfolio in North America, totaling an enterprise value exceeding $80bn.
Angelo Acconcia, partner at ArcLight Capital Partners, highlights the strategic interest of this acquisition: “With increasing demand for digital infrastructure, Ohio has emerged as a major hub for data centers. Middletown Energy Center, leveraging ArcLight’s operational expertise, will be well-positioned to fully address the significant electricity needs of this crucial sector.”
Positive outlook driven by digital transformation
Andrew Brannan, managing director at ArcLight, confirms this strategic orientation: “Middletown will play a critical role in providing reliable and affordable energy required for the rapid expansion of data centers in this region. Efficient energy production is essential for attracting and maintaining industrial and technological investments.”
Over the past 24 years, ArcLight has owned, controlled, or operated more than 65 gigawatts (GW) of assets and approximately 47,000 miles of electric and gas transmission infrastructure across North America. Its extensive experience and internal technical resources enable it to offer solutions tailored to the specific energy demands driven by the rise of artificial intelligence and digital technologies.
