Amazon Web Services is building on 56 acres at 8050 Camino Arroyo, at the far southern end of Santa Clara County in Gilroy, California. The entitled scheme runs to roughly 438,500 sq ft in two phases: a single-storey hall of about 218,000 sq ft with a 2,500 sq ft security building first, then a matching 218,000 sq ft hall standing 35 ft high. Pacific Gas & Electric will carry a 49 MW connection for the first phase, with a switchyard on site and transmission and distribution upgrades beyond the fence line, backed by 25 generators of 2.5 MW each and one 600 kW set for life-safety loads. The second phase drops diesel altogether in favour of battery or fuel-cell backup in its own building, with lithium-ion modules at the racks, and a first-phase battery installation of up to 50 MW is contemplated. Gilroy's community development director approved the entitlement on 3 July 2025 and the building permit followed on 19 March 2026. The site is served with recycled water.
What did Gilroy approve at 8050 Camino Arroyo, and when?
Site and architectural application AS 20-23, approved by the community development director on 3 July 2025 rather than by a council vote. An appeal lodged on 21 July was withdrawn on 18 August 2025, grading and underground-utility permits were issued on 11 December 2025, and the building permit came on 19 March 2026.
How much power will the Gilroy site draw in its first phase?
49 MW from Pacific Gas & Electric, supported by a substation and switchyard on site and by transmission and distribution upgrades on PG&E's wider network.
Which impacts did the Gilroy environmental review find unavoidable?
Two: the loss of Prime Farmland and Farmland of Statewide Importance under the 56-acre site, and an exceedance of the city's vehicle-miles-travelled threshold. The environmental impact report was certified with a statement of overriding considerations covering both.
How does backup power differ between the two Gilroy phases?
Phase one uses 25 diesel generators of 2.5 MW apiece plus a 600 kW life-safety set. Phase two carries no diesel: battery or fuel-cell backup sits in a standalone building, with lithium-ion modules distributed to the racks.
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