The City of Fremont has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with LS Power Grid California. The agreement aims to streamline the permitting process for an underground transmission line. This line is part of the Newark to Northern Receiving Station (NRS) 230 kilovolt (kV) Project, also called the Power the South Bay Project. As part of the agreement, LS Power Grid California will install about six miles of broadband conduit for the city. This supports Fremont’s Fiber Optic Master Plan and future broadband expansion.
The Power the South Bay Project is intended to increase energy capacity and grid reliability in Fremont and nearby areas. The project will allow bidirectional power flow and is expected to provide electricity for about 600,000 single-family homes. The upgrade addresses rising electricity demand from local manufacturing, electrification, and more data centers.
Fremont is home to several large data center server manufacturers. The International Energy Agency estimates that AI data centers will contribute to half of the nation’s increase in electricity demand by 2030. The new transmission line and broadband conduit are expected to help Fremont meet these needs for both residents and businesses…