In preparation for upcoming major sporting events, California public power utility Silicon Valley Power is launching a comprehensive effort to strengthen safety preparation and physical security at critical electrical facilities throughout the city of Santa Clara, California.
“Protecting our critical infrastructure is essential to maintaining the reliability our community depends on,” Silicon Valley Power’s Electric Utility Director, Nico Procos, said. “This project strengthens our facilities, enhances monitoring, and ensures our teams are well-prepared for any scenario. It’s an important investment in safety, resilience, and long-term service to Santa Clara. Our staff has done an incredible job identifying the best advanced technology available and deploying it quickly across our service territory to benefit all our customers.”
At a July 8, 2025, City Council meeting, the Physical Security Improvements project was approved, authorizing SVP to begin upgrading protections for priority sites that support grid reliability, public safety, and large-scale event operations.
The project will enhance monitoring, perimeter security, and access control at SVP facilities, as well as formalize training and procedures for staff who support critical infrastructure.
SVP is contracting with a vendor for the project that is state-of-the-art in security.
Initial improvements include upgraded perimeter intrusion detection technology, enhanced access controls such as badge readers, increased wall heights and cinder block reinforcement, improved lighting, vegetation management, and site-specific security enhancements.
The work will roll out in three phases. Phase one focuses on seven of SVP’s most critical assets, with improvements and training scheduled for completion by Dec. 31, 2025. Phase two expands these upgrades to the remaining 27 critical facilities, targeted for completion by Dec. 31, 2026.
Phase three, running in parallel, will establish updated security training, policies, and procedures to strengthen employee situational awareness, engagement, and response.
These investments will help ensure SVP is fully prepared to support the City during major events while continuing to maintain the safety and reliability of Santa Clara’s electric infrastructure, the utility noted.
SVP is also updating its emergency response plans to ensure it is fully prepared for all major events that bring increased activity and demand to the area. These updates strengthen coordination across departments, streamline communication, and enhance its ability to respond quickly in any situation.
Super Bowl LX will be held in February at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Also, Levi's Stadium will host 2026 FIFA World Cup games.
