STACK Infrastructure is seeking approval to develop its SVY03A Data Center Campus in Hayward, California, through the Small Power Plant Exemption (SPPE) process. The project at 26203 Production Avenue is designed to deliver up to 76.6 megawatts (MW) of backup power to support its operations. The California Energy Commission (CEC) is overseeing the project to determine its eligibility for local permitting rather than state-level certification.
The SVY03A Data Center Campus is designed as a comprehensive facility featuring several key components to ensure robust data management and power reliability. At its core, the development includes a three-story data center building, which will serve as the primary hub for housing data storage and processing equipment. Complementing this structure is a one-story data center building, adding extra capacity to support the overall operations of the campus.
The campus will have 28 backup generators distributed across two generation yards to guarantee consistent power availability. These generators will collectively provide up to 76.6 megawatts (MW) of backup power, ensuring the facility can maintain full functionality even during utility outages.
Beyond the core data center facilities, the project will include various additional infrastructure elements. This includes a security building to protect the site, an on-site substation, and a Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) switching station to manage electrical flow. Enhancements to the campus will also feature internal circulation systems, stormwater management basins, and carefully planned landscaping to integrate the site’s operational needs with environmental considerations.
Key access points for the campus will include newly constructed driveways on Eden Landing Road and Production Avenue, ensuring efficient vehicle entry and exit. The project also includes parking facilities, a loading dock, and a perimeter security fence to secure the premises.
The SVY03A Data Center Campus is set to feature a robust backup power system designed to ensure seamless operations even during power disruptions. This system includes 28 generators. For the larger data center building, 26 generators with a capacity of 2.75 megawatts (MW) each and a single 1 MW generator will be dedicated to meeting its significant energy demands. Meanwhile, the smaller data center building will be supported by a 1.6 MW generator, ensuring that both facilities have reliable backup power to maintain continuous service.
These generators are designed to support the entire electrical load of the campus during a utility power disruption, with redundant units included to ensure the facility’s maximum power requirements are consistently met. The backup power system is solely for the data center’s use, enhancing its resilience to potential outages.
Under California law, the CEC certifies all thermal power plants with a generation capacity of 50 MW or more. The SPPE process allows facilities between 50 and 100 MW to bypass this state-level certification, provided they meet specific criteria. STACK Infrastructure’s SVY03A Data Center Campus falls within this range, and the CEC is evaluating the project based on its potential environmental and energy resource impact.
If the CEC grants the exemption, the project will proceed through local permitting channels rather than requiring direct certification from the state. Local agencies, including land use authorities and air management districts, will then assume responsibility for further environmental reviews and approvals as mandated by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Currently, the SVY03A Data Center Campus is under review, with STACK Infrastructure awaiting the CEC’s decision regarding the SPPE application. If granted, the exemption would mark a significant milestone in advancing the data center’s development, shifting the focus to local jurisdiction for the final permitting and construction phases.
