Tim Hope
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
- Business founder with 20+ years experience in entrepreneurship, structured finance and carbon markets.
- Consultant work at the intersection of global finance and sustainability aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
Global energy infrastructure
for the digital age
Data center demand is rising, with power needs projected to increase by 14 GW by 2030, straining U.S. grids. Balico's 30 years of infrastructure experience positions it to meet these challenges.
About Us
Leading energy and infrastructure development company with over 30 years of experience
Expertise in routing, design, engineering, real estate, and pipeline infrastructure
Strong partnerships throughout Virginia with a track record of working with community stakeholders
The Projects: Balico Technology Campus
FIRST PHASE
Powering Data Centers
Strategically located near Pittsylvania County of southwestern Virginia, Balico Technology Campus (BTC) is set to deliver its first phase 300 MW of advanced data center capacity by Q4 2025. This facility offers direct connectivity to the Mid-Atlantic Broadband fiber optic network, ensuring high-speed, reliable data transmission.
With secure water resources for efficient cooling and existing pipeline capacity for natural gas power delivery, BTC will help alleviate congestion in Northern Virginia, the world’s largest data center region—providing a sustainable and scalable solution for the future.
FUTURE
FUTURE PHASES: Balico Technology Campus
Building on the foundation of the first phase, BTC will redefine the data center landscape, delivering an unprecedented 3,500 MW of capacity to become among the largest integrated data center hubs in the world by 2030.
Located in Pittsylvania, Virginia, this large university style campus will leverage Virginia’s extensive fiber optic network, sustainable water resources for cooling, and a private, behind-the-meter natural gas power plant, offering reliable and affordable power.
Designed for future scalability, BTC includes options for Carbon Capture and potential hydrogen integration, setting new standards for sustainable energy in industry. Providing job creation and economic growth, this facility will be a global leader in data infrastructure, combining unmatched scale and efficiency.
Responsible Economic Development & Sustainability
Community Investment
Balico Power’s vision represents over $10B in new investment in Virginia and the local community. Pittsylvania County will benefit from a large increase in tax revenues, projected at over $100M over ten years, with limited costs for additional services against those revenues.
Support for Renewable Energy
Balico Power provides reliable and cost-effective support for all renewable generation until other alternatives (long term battery support) become economically and technically viable. The 3,500 MW power plant will provide the built-in capability to use 30% Hydrogen in the fuel mix, scalable to 100% Hydrogen over time, achieving zero CO2 emissions.
Job Creation
Pittsylvania County and the residents of the Dan River Region will benefit from a significant increase in construction jobs, projected to peak at approximately 1,200 new construction jobs, and 750+ permanent, skilled & highly compensated employment opportunities, plus the associated “ripple” effect of salary spending economic benefits.
Efficiency
Balico Power delivers the most efficient and clean energy generation available in the market today. The Balico Power Project effectively displaces older, more polluting generation and supports the Governor’s policy for an effective transition to a lower carbon portfolio.
Carbon Consciousness
Working with our sister company DigiKerma, we will explore ways to directly tie emissions from data center facilities where CCS is not viable with facilities that have favorable conditions and arrange ton-for-ton offsets.
The Balico Team
Irfan K. Ali
CEO
Irfan K. Ali brings over 30 years of global expertise in power generation and infrastructure development, with a proven success in navigating complex regulatory environments and delivering transformative energy projects. Working with leading companies like Westinghouse, Siemens and GE , some successfully completed IPP projects in which Ali was involved: the Bayonne Energy Center in New Jersey, UCH Gas and Fauji Power in Pakistan. Beyond energy, Ali has played a pivotal role in real estate development, contributing to millions of square feet of commercial projects in the Tysons Corner area.
Most recently, working closely with local government and stakeholders, Ali led the development of the Chickahominy Power Project in Charles City, VA. Chickahominy was slated to be an advanced 1,600MW combined cycle natural gas plant, allowing for the decommissioning of two nearby aging coal power plants. Ali successfully navigated the complex regulatory process, including all federal and state permitting and the project was shovel ready to begin construction. Despite the project’s ultimate cancellation (due to the inability of the gas company to supply fuel as agreed), it exemplifies Irfan’s ability to manage large-scale energy developments from concept to execution.
With deep expertise in both energy and real estate, Irfan K. Ali’s leadership at Balico ensures a strategic, results-oriented approach to developing the company’s innovative data center campus in southern Virginia
Charles McConnell
Advisor
- Former Assistant Secretary of Energy for Fossil Energy, U.S. Department of Energy
- Executive Director of the University of Houston’s Carbon Management at Battelle Energy Sustainability Program
Dr. Michael Karmis
Advisor
- Stonie Barker Professor Em. & Director Em. of the Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research, Virginia Tech.
- Consultant on sustainable development of energy & mineral resources, CO2 management & green credits assessment
Steve Winberg
Advisor
- Former Assistant Secretary of Energy, U.S. Department of Energy
- Former Vice President for CONSOL Energy Research and Development
Jeff Brasfield
Controller
- Business founder with 25 years experience in public and private accounting, GAAP, tax and audit
- 7+ years accounting experience in private power project development
Get in Touch
FAQ
Why was Pittsylvania County selected for this project?
Pittsylvania County is the terminus point for the Mountain Valley Pipeline, which has available capacity for sale.
What will be the noise level of the power generation?
The noise level will be abated to meet County code regulations under the industrial zoning category.
Will the power generation be dedicated only to the data center facilities or will it also be available for sale on the grid?
The power generation will be dedicated solely to the data center facilities. Data centers are increasingly required to bring what is known as behind-the-meter power, meaning they generate and use their own electricity without drawing from the grid. This ensures the data center operates independently, enhancing reliability, and avoiding additional strain on public power infrastructure.
What are the long term benefits to the County and its residents?
In addition to significant real property taxes, there will be substantial taxes on equipment, allowing for significant investment in education and social services. Also, at full build out, it is estimated that the data park will have created between 700 to 800 high paying technology jobs. As has been seen in other areas, Data Centers generate a lot of taxes for local communities without placing additional burdens on local services.
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