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PPL-Blackstone joint venture’s ‘advanced’ data center pipeline in Pennsylvania…

2026-05-11 · 17:30 UTC ·Utility Dive ·5 min read

Brief

Utility Dive’s May 11, 2026 Daily Dive highlights rapid power development tied to data center demand and evolving policy proposals. PPL’s ‘advanced’ Pennsylvania data center pipeline has grown to 28.3 GW, and a PPL‑Blackstone joint venture is reportedly procuring gas turbines to build power plants that would directly serve that load. Separately, Vistra disclosed a 4.5 GW capacity addition and said CEO Jim Burke considers the move consistent with ‘reasonable’ PJM and ERCOT forecasts, while stressing the company’s outlook remains below many independent and ISO projections but matches anticipated physical buildout. The newsletter also covers DOE’s push for ‘nuclear lifecycle innovation campuses’ to take in and possibly recycle spent fuel — an idea drawing some state interest but facing practical and policy challenges — and includes an opinion defending competitive power markets.

Why it matters

PPL-Blackstone joint venture’s ‘advanced’ data center pipeline in Pennsylvania reached 28.3 GW, and company officials said the JV is securing gas turbines for new power plants intended to serve that data center load (Utility Dive, May 11, 2026).

Key details

  • Vistra announced it will add 4.5 GW of capacity; CEO Jim Burke said the additions align with what the company considers ‘reasonable’ load forecasts for PJM and ERCOT, noting Vistra’s outlook is below many third‑party and ISO projections but reflects the expected pace of physical development.
  • The Department of Energy’s proposal for ‘nuclear lifecycle innovation campuses’ would partner with states to accept and potentially recycle used nuclear fuel — several states have shown interest, but the plan faces significant practical and policy hurdles.
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Daily Dive

May ​ 11,​ 2026 | Today’s news and insights for utility leaders

Grid delays blocking your growth?

Deploy fuel cells in months, not years. Learn how to capture underserved AI and data center load now. Register for May 20 webinar.

PPL ‘advanced’ data center pipeline grows to 28.3 GW in Pennsylvania

A PPL-Blackstone joint venture is securing gas turbines for power plants that would serve data centers, company officials said.

Vistra adds 4.5 GW of capacity in line with ‘reasonable’ forecasts for PJM, ERCOT

“While these views remain below many third-party forecasts and ISO projections, they reflect what we believe to be the pace of physical development,” Vistra CEO Jim Burke said of the company’s load growth projections.

Opinion

Competitive power markets have delivered. Abandoning them would be a mistake.

Electricity markets are not perfect, but they remain one of the most powerful tools we have for delivering reliable, affordable power at scale, writes former FERC Commissioner Nora Mead Brownell.

Resilient grid design can change what happens when storms hit

Improve your storm response with targeted design approaches on the distribution grid.

Deep Dive

Will DOE’s ‘nuclear lifecycle innovation campuses’ solve the US nuclear waste problem?

The Department of Energy wants to collaborate with states that agree to take in and possibly recycle used nuclear fuel, and some have responded positively. But practical and policy challenges remain.

Modern billing systems put more power behind utility rates

Rate design can reduce grid costs, but first utilities need upgraded billing systems. Learn more.