CVEC 2 Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Facility

The City of Chula Vista has approved Conditional Use Permit CUP24-0024 and Design Review DR24-0016 for the construction and operation of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility. Located at 3497 Main Street within the Limited Industrial Precise Plan zone, the project involves a facility with a capacity not to exceed 50 megawatts on a 1.9-acre portion of a 3.82-acre parcel. The facility will connect to the San Diego Gas and Electric transmission system via a 69-kilovolt line to the Otay substation and must operate exclusively in conjunction with the California Independent System Operator, with a strict prohibition on selling stored energy to private entities. The permits are valid until October 7, 2028. Technical specifications require the use of white-painted high-quality steel structures, a 10-foot galvanized fence, and fully shielded site lighting. The project must adhere to the California Building and Fire Codes, ADA standards, Title 24, and the Clean Energy Safety Act of 2025. Key compliance requirements include providing proof of pad certification and obtaining encroachment permits before building permits are issued. Environmental protections prohibit vegetation clearing during nesting bird season from February 1 to August 31 without qualified biologist surveys. The applicant and property owner must fully indemnify the City against all liabilities and costs associated with project challenges. Final occupancy is contingent upon the submission of third-party commissioning paperwork to the Chula Vista Fire Department and verification of floodplain mitigation for areas in FEMA Zone AE.