LORDSTOWN, Ohio – Project partners and regional leaders Wednesday celebrated the completion of the Trumbull Energy Center, a $1.2 billion investment in Trumbull County that is expected to strengthen the region’s energy infrastructure and support growing demand for electricity across Ohio and the Midwest.
Representatives from the Republic of Korea, project owners, regional economic development organizations and local government participated in a ceremony, which concluded with a ribbon cutting commemorating the completion of the facility.
The ceremony celebrated both the completion of the project and the partnerships that helped bring it from concept to operation.
“Energy infrastructure, like what this facility delivers, is a competitive asset that we leverage in economic development conversations regularly with investors and site selectors,” said Dani Robbins, CEO of Lake to River Economic Development. “We’re fortunate to have an investment of this scale and this collaborative network of international partners in our region.”
The natural gas-fired combined-cycle facility is designed to provide clean, reliable and efficient power generation while helping meet increasing electricity demand driven by advanced technologies, artificial intelligence and data centers, a news release states. The facility has the capacity to power approximately 900,000 homes and is among the most significant energy infrastructure investments in the region’s recent history.
The facility is owned by Korea Southern Power Co. Ltd., Korea Overseas Infrastructure and Urban Development Corp. and Siemens Energy. Construction was led by Gemma Power Systems LLC, a Connecticut-based company that develops, designs, builds, commissions and operates large-scale power projects.
Financial close for the project occurred in November 2022, and site work began the following month. The facility entered commercial operation in January.
“The completion of Trumbull Energy Center marks a significant milestone not only for our company but also for the communities and industries we serve,” said Logan Choi, president and CEO of Trumbull Energy Center. “This 953-megawatt combined-cycle facility was developed to help meet the growing demand for reliable and efficient power across the Midwest, particularly as the rapid expansion of AI technologies and data centers continues to drive electricity consumption throughout the region.”
Wednesday’s ceremony included presentations of official recognitions commemorating the completion of the project from the offices of U.S. Reps. Dave Joyce and Michael Rulli, U.S. Sens. Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted and Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel. The recognitions were accepted on behalf of Trumbull Energy Center by Choi.
The ceremony also recognized the successful refinancing of the project, which included a $200 million Korea Term Loan A facility and a $625 million U.S. Term Loan B facility. Completed shortly after the start of commercial operations, the refinancing was described as an unprecedented achievement in the power sector and a new benchmark for project finance transactions, the release states.
According to officials, the project generated significant economic activity during construction, including more than $416 million in direct spending in Trumbull and Mahoning counties. Construction averaged 400 jobs over approximately three years, with a peak of 600. The project also supported 500 jobs in Trumbull and Mahoning counties during construction and generated about 2 million labor hours at the site.
“The Trumbull Energy Center demonstrates what can be accomplished when communities, industry and economic development partners work together,” Warren Mayor Doug Franklin said. “We’re proud that the city of Warren plays a role in supporting the facility’s operations while helping advance investment and opportunity throughout our region.”
From construction through its 40 years of operation, Trumbull Energy Center is expected to generate an estimated $1.8 billion in economic activity and payments for local services, as well as payments to schools and governments in the region, the release states.
Pictured at top: Logan Choi, president and CEO of Trumbull Energy Center.