City of Fremont Partners with LS Power Grid California to Enhance Regional Electric Grid and Expand Municipal Broadband Infrastructure

Building on statewide efforts to strengthen power grid infrastructure, the City of Fremont ("Fremont or the City") has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with LS Power Grid California. The agreement facilitates an efficient permitting process for the construction of an underground transmission line through Fremont for the Newark to Northern Receiving Station (NRS) 230 kilovolt (kV) Project, also known as the Power the South Bay Project. As part of the agreement with the City, LS Power Grid California will install and dedicate approximately six miles of high-capacity broadband conduit to the City.

The Power the South Bay Project significantly increases Fremont and the broader region's energy capacity, improves grid resiliency through bidirectional power flow capabilities, and supports regional economic growth by providing enough power to service approximately 600,000 single family homes. Additionally, the City's dedicated broadband infrastructure advances Fremont's Fiber Optic Master Plan, allowing for the future expansion of the City's municipal fiber network that can be used to establish new municipal broadband service.

Rising demand for electricity, driven by a resurgence in domestic manufacturing, building and fleet electrification, and data centers is creating unprecedented constraints on the grid, necessitating an "all hands-on deck" approach to meeting this need. AI data centers are predicted to account for half of the nation's increase in electricity demand between now and 2030, according to the International Energy Agency. With seven of the 10 largest data center server manufacturers globally operating in Fremont, this public-private partnership strengthens grid resilience while supporting Fremont's long-term energy needs across housing, advanced manufacturing, and technology.

Fremont Mayor Salwan stated: "This MOU reflects the collaborative leadership that sets Fremont apart. By working closely with LS Power Grid California's Power the South Bay Project team, we have transformed what could have been a long and drawn-out permitting process into a strategic opportunity that benefits our entire community. The broadband conduit being dedicated to the City aligns directly with our Fiber Optic Master Plan and supports our broader goals of expanding connectivity, smart growth, and improving City services. This is a smart, future-focused investment that strengthens our grid, preserves critical resources, and enhances quality of life for our residents and businesses."

Construction is targeted to begin in early 2026 and will occur within Boyce Road, Cushing Parkway, and Fremont Boulevard. To limit redundant work and disruptions for residents and businesses, the City will align its Pavement Management Plan with the Power the South Bay Project timeline.

LS Power Grid California's Power the South Bay Project Manager Lucy Marton stated: "We appreciate the City of Fremont's partnership and hard work throughout the planning phases of this important grid reliability project. The MOU reflects our shared commitment to resilient, creative infrastructure solutions that keep residents and businesses in Fremont powered and connected for the future."

In 2023, the California ISO (CAISO) chose LS Power Grid California to cost-effectively and reliably sponsor the Power the South Bay Project, a 12-mile, 230 kV alternating current (AC) overhead and underground transmission line, connecting the Fremont-based Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) Newark Substation to the Silicon Valley Power (SVP) Northern Receiving Station. The Power the South Bay Project will reinforce the transmission system with 1 gigawatt (GW) of new transmission capacity in southern Alameda County while also enhancing reliability across the South Bay region.

Additional information about the Power the South Bay Area Project is available at the project website.