Google-backed $10 billion data center project in Imperial Valley, Southern California is causing friction in the region. Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing, LLC (IVCM) is seeking to develop a 950,000 sq ft (88,257 sqm) project. Furthermore, it will be a 330MW single-story data center, emergency backup generator building on-site substation. It will also be a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS, 862MWh) constructed on 74 acres around 2304 Clark Road.

The BESS would consist of 220 Tesla Megapack 2XL fuel cells. However, it will not be connected to the grid and will only serve the data center. The site would also include 100 natural gas-powered backup emergency generators. These generators will be connected to Southern California Gas Company’s high-pressure gas line.

Local press reports that representatives from the DuBose Design Group have said in recent meetings that the tenant is one of the big four US tech giants. Documents on the Imperial project website suggest Google has previously shown interest in the project. The area is also served by the local utility, Imperial Irrigation District (IID), which has said the project could go live as early as January 2027. Despite its magnitude, the project is causing major friction in Imperial Valley between officials. Other data center projects include the AI data center at NAS Lemoore. 

Local Friction Witnessed due to Imperial Valley Data Center Project

The Tier IV quality Imperial data center project in Southern Carolina is causing major tension between officials. The tussle being witnessed is between city and county officials with one of the party unhappy. Officials from the city have shown discontent with the lack of transparency and engagement from Imperial County around the development. News of a data center surfaced last year when the city posted saying it awareness to the project.

The city post also highlighted that they were being made aware that the county was in the process of finalizing approval for the data center project. The city of Imperial noted it is not the permitting authority. The reason is because the property is within the unincorporated County of Imperial limits. The city has also written to the county planning commission, urging it to recommend denial of IVCM’s request. The request is for IVCM to merge five plots of land along Leimgruber Road for the project. It also noted that local zoning laws do not permit the merging of the properties and roads in this area.

Lawsuit

The city has also filed a lawsuit against the county, saying the project is not in compliance with the California Environmental Act. The project is reportedly set to rely on reclaimed water, but the nearby city of El Centro recently said it has not entered into agreements with any data center development. They also noted they have not received any applications from one, about the use of reclaimed water or wastewater for any data center project. Before any data center projects are approved by the County, a complete picture of the water usage and energy demands must be clarified. Also, area residents must be given a full picture of how the energy and water costs will affect them,” he said. A Change.org petition from the group against the development has garnered 2,220 signatures at the time of writing.

Project Factsheet

Project: Google-backed data center (doubtful tenant)

Developer: Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing, LLC (IVCM).

Place: Imperial Valley, Imperial County, Southern California.

Projected investment: $10 billion.

Facility size: 950,000 sq ft (one story)

Capacity of power: 330 MW (Tier IV quality)

Site area: 74 acres

On-site substation and emergency generator building are included.

Battery storage: 862 MWh BESS

BESS units: 220 Tesla Megapack 2XL

BESS application: off-grid, data center only.

Backup power: 100 emergency generators of natural gas.

Gas supply: Southern California Gas Company ultra high pressure pipeline.

Water consumption: proposed use of reclaimed water.

Zoning concern: application to consolidate five land parcels on the Leimgruber road.

City location: no merging of parcel and roads are allowed under zoning.

Government dispute: City of Imperial and Imperial County.

City role: not permitting (in unincorporated county)

Civil activism: Petition of Change.org.

Signatures: approximately 2,220

Key concern areas:

• transparency
• water demand
• energy demand
• environmental compliance
• community impact