By Robert Haugh

Silicon Valley Power joined regional partners in Fremont last month to break ground on the Power the South Bay project, a major transmission project designed to bring more electricity into the region and strengthen the grid.

The project is part of Powering the Bay, a larger effort to modernize the Bay Area’s electric system as demand continues to rise.

The projects are expected to add about 1,000 megawatts of new transmission capacity. They are also intended to improve reliability and give the regional grid more flexibility during high-demand periods.

For Santa Clara, the project comes at an important time.

The city’s power needs are growing. Data centers, advanced manufacturing, electrification and new technologies are all putting more pressure on the system.

Power the South Bay is one of three major transmission projects that will connect to SVP’s Northern Receiving Station Substation. That connection is expected to help Santa Clara meet its long-term electricity needs.

The groundbreaking included remarks from Mayor Lisa Gillmor. Councilmembers Suds Jain and Kevin Park also spoke.