Silicon Foundation unveiled its plan to redevelop the former Centre Foundry site at 74 Warwood Avenue in Warwood. The site covers approximately 15 acres, includes the existing foundry building of approximately 60,000 square feet, and is already zoned for industrial use. The project is based on reusing an existing industrial site rather than clearing new land, and environmental site assessments for the property are complete.

The site plan includes three components: a modular computing facility, manufacturing for the data center industry, and a training academy for local electricians and technical specialists. The initial computing phase is expected to start at approximately 10 MW and will use the site’s existing energy infrastructure.

The project is led by a team with more than 20 years of experience across sustainable infrastructure, energy, industrial redevelopment, and renewables. Warwood was chosen as a place where existing industrial infrastructure can be returned to productive use, rather than allowing a vacant site to continue physically deteriorating. 

“We are a small team, and we see an opportunity to restore an existing industrial site step by step, in line with the real capacity of local infrastructure,” said Andrii Garanin, Chief Energy and Infrastructure Officer at Silicon Foundation. “The first phase starts at approximately 10 MW, using power already available on site. Anything beyond that will depend on what the grid can support, what AEP confirms, and what is approved through the required process.

“Our responsibility now is to be a direct source of information for residents, the city, and everyone following the project: what is planned for the site, what scale the project starts from, what reviews are required for any next step, and what data will be published. We are open to questions and will continue sharing information as the project moves through the required stages.”

West Virginia has already created a legal framework for the development of data centers and related energy infrastructure. That framework supports the construction and operation of such facilities in the state and provides for coordination with public agencies on site selection, permitting, and project development.

From a grid perspective, the Silicon Foundation project begins with capacity already available at the site. The first phase will use the existing 69 kV high-voltage connection and is expected to operate at approximately 10 MW.

Any expansion beyond the initial scale will require AEP review, the necessary technical and regulatory assessments, and the appropriate approvals. Potential growth to 20–50 MW would be reviewed separately. 100 MW is not an approved or permitted project; it is a long-term possibility that would require a separate review of grid capacity, infrastructure requirements, and all necessary approvals.

Power and grid. The first phase will use the site's existing 69 kV connection and is expected to operate at approximately 10 MW — capacity already available at the site, requiring no new energy infrastructure. Any expansion beyond the initial scale would require AEP review, the necessary technical and regulatory assessments, and the appropriate approvals. Potential growth to 20–50 MW would be reviewed separately through that process.

Batteries and Safety The site is expected to include a battery energy storage system using LFP (lithium iron phosphate) — considered one of the most stable battery chemistries from a fire-safety perspective.

The system will be designed with recognized safety standards for stationary energy storage systems, including NFPA 855 and UL 9540A. These standards address safe placement of battery systems, testing for overheating and fire-propagation risks, fire-protection measures, and coordination with emergency response teams. There is no diesel or other liquid fuel storage planned on site. Any potential future on-site generation would require its own permitting process and public review.

Water and cooling. The facility will use a closed-loop cooling system with dry coolers, releasing heat into the air rather than relying on water evaporation. It will not use river water or municipal drinking water for cooling. An independent water study will be prepared and published so residents can review the data directly.

Noise and construction. Equipment will be enclosed, screened, and set back from nearby homes, with a measured noise limit maintained at the property line and verified through an independent study. Because the facility uses factory-built modular units, on-site work is primarily assembly and installation rather than prolonged heavy construction — reducing construction traffic and shortening the build. Priority will be given to local contractors and trades wherever possible.

Jobs and training. Once operational, the facility is expected to create approximately a dozen permanent technical and operations roles, along with construction work and opportunities for local contractors. The planned training academy is intended to help local electricians and technical specialists build skills connected to modern infrastructure and keep more of that opportunity in the region.

Silicon Foundation is preparing independent studies on the grid, water, and noise, along with a public information page and additional meetings with local officials and residents. The company will continue working with the city, county, AEP, local services, and the community as the project develops and moves through the required process.

"We chose Wheeling for a reason. For 183 years, the Centre Foundry site helped build America: iron castings for steamboats on the Ohio River, components for the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, and parts used in industries and infrastructure far beyond Warwood," Garanin added. "The people who worked on this site and cast metal here were part of that history.

"We chose 74 Warwood Avenue because we saw the site for what it has always been: a place where skilled people build things that matter.

"Today, the infrastructure that moves the modern economy is compute, data, and energy. We want to build that infrastructure with Wheeling."

About Silicon Foundation

Silicon Foundation is an energy technology and infrastructure company working at the intersection of energy, compute, and modular data center systems. The company develops infrastructure for AI and data-driven applications, with a focus on reusing existing industrial sites, integrating energy systems, and building modular infrastructure for modern computing needs.

Media Contact: media@silicon.foundation