Blackstone Energy Transition Partners, an affiliate entity of asset manager Blackstone, confirmed a $1.2bn investment in the construction of a natural gas power plant in West Virginia. The project, named Wolf Summit Energy, represents the first combined-cycle electricity generation facility to be developed in the state. With a planned capacity of 600 megawatts, the facility is set to supply electricity to Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC), which serves around 1.5 million people across Virginia, Maryland and Delaware.
A response to data centre-driven energy pressure
This final investment decision enables the launch of construction at the Harrison County site. Wolf Summit will address the ongoing increase in electricity consumption driven by industrial growth and the expansion of data centres supporting artificial intelligence. Blackstone also expects the creation of 500 construction jobs, alongside additional indirect economic benefits for the region.
The plant will utilise GE Vernova’s 7HA.02 gas turbine, known for its operational flexibility and high efficiency. According to Dave Ross, President and Chief Executive Officer of GE Vernova’s Gas Power business in the Americas, the facility will help meet growing capacity and energy needs within the PJM Interconnection (PJM) grid system that spans several Northeastern US states.
Strategic expansion in natural gas
Wolf Summit is part of Blackstone’s broader US natural gas strategy. Over the past three and a half years, Blackstone Energy Transition Partners has invested in approximately 1,600 MW of new power generation capacity. Recent projects include Hill Top Energy Center in Pennsylvania (620 MW) and Potomac Energy Center in Virginia (774 MW). These developments are aligned with a targeted approach to support growing demand from critical infrastructure, particularly in high-performance computing.
According to Bilal Khan and Mark Zhu, Senior Managing Director and Managing Director at Blackstone respectively, electrification driven by artificial intelligence is a core investment theme. Their objective is to ensure reliable and affordable supply to support this economic shift.
Reinforced positioning for West Virginia
West Virginia Governor Morrisey welcomed the announcement, stating that it marks a new phase in positioning the state as a national energy hub. Blackstone’s entry is seen as a strong signal to investors and industry players seeking to establish operations in a region with abundant energy resources and strategic placement within the Eastern US grid.
