PG&E Accelerating Connection of New Data Centers throughout Northern and Central California
PG&E is expanding its capacity to serve approximately 5.5 gigawatts (GW) of new data center energy demand over the next decade, with 1.4 GW projected to come online between 2026 and 2030 from 15 customers across 27 sites. The company's initial cluster study in 2024 evaluated 740 megawatts of new data center load in Silicon Valley and the greater San Francisco Bay Area.
For every 1 GW of new data center demand, PG&E estimates customers could save 1-2% on monthly bills long-term. The company has proposed a new 'Rule 30' tariff to the California Public Utilities Commission, establishing a streamlined process for connecting large demand customers. This tariff allows customers to fund projects upfront and receive reimbursement after coming online, protecting existing customers while enabling infrastructure growth.
PG&E sta ampliando la propria capacità per soddisfare una domanda energetica di nuovi data center di circa 5,5 gigawatt (GW) nel prossimo decennio, con 1,4 GW previsti per entrare in funzione tra il 2026 e il 2030 da 15 clienti distribuiti su 27 siti. Lo studio iniziale dei cluster dell'azienda nel 2024 ha valutato un carico di nuovi data center di 740 megawatt nella Silicon Valley e nell'area della Baia di San Francisco.
Per ogni 1 GW di nuova domanda da data center, PG&E stima che i clienti potrebbero risparmiare dal 1% al 2% sulle bollette mensili a lungo termine. L'azienda ha proposto una nuova tariffa 'Regola 30' alla Commissione dei Servizi Pubblici della California, stabilendo un processo semplificato per connettere i clienti con una grande domanda. Questa tariffa consente ai clienti di finanziare i progetti in anticipo e ricevere un rimborso dopo l'attivazione, proteggendo i clienti esistenti e consentendo la crescita delle infrastrutture.
PG&E está ampliando su capacidad para atender aproximadamente 5.5 gigavatios (GW) de nueva demanda energética de centros de datos en la próxima década, con 1.4 GW proyectados para entrar en funcionamiento entre 2026 y 2030 de 15 clientes en 27 sitios. El estudio inicial de clústeres de la empresa en 2024 evaluó 740 megavatios de nueva carga de centros de datos en Silicon Valley y el área de la Bahía de San Francisco.
Por cada 1 GW de nueva demanda de centros de datos, PG&E estima que los clientes podrían ahorrar entre el 1% y el 2% en sus facturas mensuales a largo plazo. La empresa ha propuesto una nueva tarifa 'Regla 30' a la Comisión de Servicios Públicos de California, estableciendo un proceso simplificado para conectar a los clientes de gran demanda. Esta tarifa permite a los clientes financiar proyectos por adelantado y recibir reembolso después de estar en funcionamiento, protegiendo a los clientes existentes mientras permite el crecimiento de la infraestructura.
PG&E는 향후 10년 동안 약 5.5 기가와트(GW)의 새로운 데이터 센터 에너지 수요를 충족하기 위해 용량을 확장하고 있으며, 2026년에서 2030년 사이에 15명의 고객으로부터 1.4 GW가 온라인에 들어올 것으로 예상하고 있습니다. 이 회사의 2024년 초기 클러스터 연구에서는 실리콘 밸리와 샌프란시스코 만 지역의 새로운 데이터 센터 부하로 740 메가와트를 평가했습니다.
PG&E는 새로운 데이터 센터 수요 1 GW당 고객이 장기적으로 월 청구서에서 1-2%를 절감할 수 있을 것으로 추정합니다. 이 회사는 캘리포니아 공공 유틸리티 위원회에 새로운 '규칙 30' 요금을 제안하여 대규모 수요 고객을 연결하기 위한 간소화된 프로세스를 설정했습니다. 이 요금은 고객이 프로젝트를 사전에 자금을 지원하고 온라인에 들어온 후에 환급을 받을 수 있도록 하여 기존 고객을 보호하고 인프라 성장을 촉진합니다.
PG&E élargit sa capacité à répondre à environ 5,5 gigawatts (GW) de nouvelle demande énergétique pour des centres de données au cours de la prochaine décennie, avec 1,4 GW prévu pour être opérationnel entre 2026 et 2030 provenant de 15 clients répartis sur 27 sites. L'étude initiale des clusters de l'entreprise en 2024 a évalué une nouvelle charge de centre de données de 740 mégawatts dans la Silicon Valley et la grande région de San Francisco.
Pour chaque 1 GW de nouvelle demande de centre de données, PG&E estime que les clients pourraient économiser de 1 à 2 % sur leurs factures mensuelles à long terme. L'entreprise a proposé une nouvelle tarification 'Règle 30' à la Commission des services publics de Californie, établissant un processus simplifié pour connecter les clients à forte demande. Cette tarification permet aux clients de financer des projets à l'avance et de recevoir un remboursement après leur mise en service, protégeant ainsi les clients existants tout en permettant la croissance des infrastructures.
PG&E erweitert seine Kapazität, um in den nächsten zehn Jahren etwa 5,5 Gigawatt (GW) neuer Energieanforderungen für Rechenzentren zu bedienen, wobei zwischen 2026 und 2030 voraussichtlich 1,4 GW von 15 Kunden an 27 Standorten online gehen werden. Die erste Clusterstudie des Unternehmens im Jahr 2024 bewertete eine neue Rechenzentrumslast von 740 Megawatt im Silicon Valley und im Großraum San Francisco.
Für jedes 1 GW neue Rechenzentrumsnachfrage schätzt PG&E, dass Kunden langfristig 1-2% bei den monatlichen Rechnungen sparen könnten. Das Unternehmen hat der California Public Utilities Commission eine neue 'Regel 30'-Tarifstruktur vorgeschlagen, die einen vereinfachten Prozess für die Anbindung großer Nachfragespitzenkunden schafft. Dieser Tarif ermöglicht es den Kunden, Projekte im Voraus zu finanzieren und nach der Inbetriebnahme eine Rückerstattung zu erhalten, wodurch bestehende Kunden geschützt und das Wachstum der Infrastruktur gefördert wird.
- Expected 5.5 GW new data center demand over next decade
- 1.4 GW confirmed for 2026-2030 from 15 customers across 27 sites
- Projected 1-2% reduction in customer monthly bills per 1 GW of new demand
- New tariff proposal enables customer-funded infrastructure expansion
- None.
Insights
PG&E's ambitious data center expansion strategy represents a pivotal shift in utility business models, positioning the company at the forefront of the AI and cloud computing revolution. The planned 5.5 GW capacity addition, with 1.4 GW coming online by 2030, demonstrates exceptional foresight in capitalizing on Silicon Valley's explosive data center growth.
The proposed Rule 30 tariff is particularly innovative, introducing a cost-sharing mechanism that benefits both new and existing customers. By allowing large customers to fund their infrastructure upfront with reimbursement provisions, PG&E creates a win-win scenario: accelerated project timelines for data centers while protecting existing ratepayers from stranded asset risks. The projected 1-2% reduction in monthly bills per GW of new demand showcases how economies of scale in utility operations can benefit the entire customer base.
The cluster study approach for managing 27 unique sites represents a significant operational efficiency improvement. By evaluating 740 megawatts of new load collectively rather than individually, PG&E can optimize grid investments and reduce connection timelines. This methodology aligns with modern utility best practices for managing distributed energy resources and large-scale grid modifications.
The strategy's broader implications extend beyond immediate financial benefits. PG&E is effectively positioning itself as the utility partner of choice for the tech industry's expansion, particularly important as AI workloads drive unprecedented demand for data center capacity. The focus on clean electricity supply aligns with tech companies' sustainability goals, creating a compelling value proposition for future growth.
New Energy Demand from Data Centers to Help Lower Costs for Electric Customers
'Rule 30' Tariff Proposal Establishes a Streamlined, Equitable Process for Connecting Large Demand Customers like Data Centers and Tech Campuses
To put this in perspective, 1 GW is enough power to serve the demand of about 750,000 homes at once.
The 1.4 GW of new data center load comes from 15 customers and represents 27 unique sites.
New data center load expected to come online over the next five years includes 740 megawatts that PG&E evaluated through its original cluster study in 2024. This load represents projects located in Silicon Valley and the surrounding communities of the greater
PG&E estimates for every 1,000 MW (or 1 GW) of new electric demand from data centers it serves, PG&E electric customers may save between 1
PG&E launched the cluster study to better respond to customers' needs when it comes to large loads like data centers. The study aimed to more efficiently meet customers' energy needs and timelines. By grouping applications and projects together, rather than individually, PG&E can more quickly confirm the demand and get these customers connected.
"PG&E is taking a thoughtful, deliberate process of pursuing load growth and we see a clear path to lowering customer bills as a result of adding what we call beneficial load," said Jason Glickman, executive vice president, Engineering, Planning and Strategy, PG&E. "Electricity growth from data centers allows us to better utilize our existing electric infrastructure as we build what's needed and deliver more per customer dollar. We are excited to be partnering with these customers, serving the innovation capital of the world, and doing so in a way that positively impacts Californians."
Rule 30 Tariff
In addition to data centers, PG&E is getting more applications to power other large, new loads including from warehouses, electric vehicle fleets and manufacturing growth.
As a result, PG&E recently submitted a proposal to the California Public Utilities Commission for a streamlined, transparent and equitable way to connect new electric retail transmission customers like data centers and large tech campuses.
Modeled after existing rules for distribution customers, the new Rule 30 tariff clearly outlines the interconnection process, cost requirements, and how customers can recoup their up-front costs if the load growth materializes.
"Our large load customers have asked for the ability to fund their projects upfront, which would help accelerate PG&E's ability to serve them, and Rule 30 proposes just that. The premise is to more efficiently and uniformly address these type of electric service requests and improve PG&E's ability to meet customers requested in-service dates by enabling them to fund their projects upfront and get paid back after they come online. That way, our existing customers benefit when the load comes in but are protected from having to pay for infrastructure if the load doesn't materialize on the expected time frame," Glickman explained.
PG&E anticipates the steady demand growth from its large load transmission customers including data centers will help to lower PG&E electric rates by spreading costs over more units of energy and will improve reliability for all customers.
Visit www.pge.com/innovation to access PG&E's R&D Strategy Report and learn more about PG&E's approach to serving anticipated load growth.
PG&E is proud to serve as the host utility for the upcoming DTECH Data Centers and AI conference May 27-29, 2025, in
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than sixteen million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and
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SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company
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