REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Authorize the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute an Agreement with Anixter Inc. for the Purchase of High-Voltage Circuit Breakers for Silicon Valley Power, for a Total Not-to-Exceed Compensation of $20,842,000 and Approve Related Budget Amendments
Report
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Clara's Electric Utility, Silicon Valley Power (SVP), has provided reliable electric service for over 129 years and continues to experience significant growth. To address both near-term and long-term impacts associated with load growth and aging infrastructure, SVP developed a City Council-approved Capital Improvement Strategy focused on maintaining system reliability and supporting future demand.
In addition to implementing this strategy, SVP manages ongoing maintenance projects and conducts annual long-term transmission planning studies to identify potential system constraints, including equipment overloads, and to maintain continued reliable power service. As part of this effort, SVP participates in the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) Transmission Planning Process (TPP), which evaluates system performance under projected load conditions.
Recent studies completed through the CAISO TPP indicate that 35 high-voltage circuit breakers rated at 63kA at the Northern Receiving Station (NRS) are forecasted to be overloaded under certain fault conditions by 2030. To mitigate these projected overloads, replacement of the affected circuit breakers will be required to increase the rating to 80kA. The currently estimated lead time for 80kA breakers is approximately 36 months. In order to meet upgrade timelines for 2030, procurement of circuit breakers is recommended now to accommodate long lead times.
SVP is currently upgrading and expanding the NRS and the new LS Power/230kV line Newark substation (NRS Upgrade Project). The NRS Upgrade Project was awarded to Henkels & McCoy, West, LLC (HMW) on July 8, 2025, (RTC 25-417) in the a...
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