Project Owner
GI Partners
Docket Number
22-SPPE-01
Technology
Backup Generating System
Project Status
Under Review
Project Type
Small Power Plant Exemption
Project Description

GI Partners proposes to develop the Bowers Backup Generating Facility (BBGF or project) at 2805 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, California. The BBGF would be an emergency backup generating facility with a generation capacity of up to 72 megawatts (MW) to support the need for the Bowers Data Center (BDC) to provide uninterruptible power supply for its tenant’s servers. The BBGF would consist of 32 Tier 4 compliant diesel-fired backup generators arranged in a generation yard located on the north side of the BDC. All 32 of the generators would be dedicated to replace the electricity needs of the data center in case of a loss of utility power, and, additionally, to support redundant critical cooling equipment and other general building and life safety services. Project elements would also include switchgear and distribution cabling to interconnect the generators to their respective portion of the building. 

Small Power Plant Exemption

The CEC has the exclusive authority to certify all thermal power plants 50 megawatts (MW) and larger and related facilities proposed for construction in California. The Small Power Plant Exemption (SPPE) process allows applicants with facilities between 50 and 100 MW to obtain an exemption from CEC’s jurisdiction and proceed with local permitting rather than requiring CEC certification. CEC can grant an exemption if it finds that the proposed facility would not create a substantial adverse impact on the environment or energy resources. Public Resources Code section 25519(c) designates CEC as the “lead agency”, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), for all facilities seeking an SPPE. In granting an SPPE, the CEC is not the final approval necessary for construction and operation of a project. Instead, if the CEC grants an SPPE, the responsible local land use authorities and other agencies, such as the local air management district, will assume jurisdiction over the project under their respective permitting processes, and conduct any other necessary environmental review as “responsible agencies” under CEQA.

Contacts

Project Manager

STEPsiting@energy.ca.gov
ann.crisp@energy.ca.gov
916-776-7975

Public Participation Questions

Public Advisor
publicadvisor@energy.ca.gov
916-957-7910

Media Inquiries

Media & Public Communications Office
mediaoffice@energy.ca.gov
916-654-4989

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