Submitted photo Logan Choi, president and CEO of Trumbull Energy Center, greets Warren Mayor Doug Franklin during the Trumbull Energy Center project completion ceremony on Wednesday at the facility in Lordstown. During the event, project partners were presented recognition certificates honoring them for their leadership, partnership and support that helped bring the $1.2 billion power plant from concept to completion.

LORDSTOWN — The completion of the $1.2 billion Trumbull Energy Center was celebrated during a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday.

Representatives from the Republic of Korea, project owners, regional economic development organizations and local government participated. The ceremony celebrated the project’s completion and the partnerships that helped bring it from concept to operation.

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. 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. (KOSPO), Korea Overseas Infrastructure and Urban Development Corp. (KIND) 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, the center’s president and CEO. “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.

“As a representative of TEC and KOSPO, I am proud that this project demonstrates the capability of a Korean public energy company to successfully develop, finance and operate major energy infrastructure in the United States. Together with our partners, Siemens Energy and KIND, we have invested more than $1.2 billion in a project that will provide electricity to approximately one million homes while supporting economic growth, job creation, and long-term investment in the local community.”

The ceremony also included presentations of official recognitions commemorating the completion of the project from the offices of U.S. Reps. Dave Joyce, R-Bainbridge, and Mike Rulli, R-Salem, U.S. Sens. Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted, and Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel.

“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, 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.”

Recognition presentations also were made during the ceremony honoring organizations that contributed to the successful development of the project. KOSPO, Siemens Energy, KIND and the city of Warren were recognized for their leadership, partnership, investment and support in helping bring TEC from concept to completion.

“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.”

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 is one of the largest investments contributing to the Mahoning Valley’s current economic expansion,” said Guy Coviello, president and CEO, Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber. “As our region grows and attracts new industry, housing and technology investment, this project will help ensure we have the power infrastructure needed to support that momentum.”

From construction through its 40 years of operation, TEC 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. During its first 15 years of operation, TEC will contribute $1 million per year, on average, to Lordstown Local School District. The project also is expected to contribute approximately $5.7 million to the village of Lordstown during operations.