Our Mission is Decarbonization
A Proposed Energy Storage Project in Santa Cruz County
Helps prevent rolling blackouts
Supports clean, renewable energy
Replaces carbon-based energy
Strengthens our local electricity grid
Safety is Priority #1
The Seahawk Energy Storage project features safety measures that follow the very latest California guidelines and legislation. In contrast with older systems that have experienced significant safety issues (such as the Jan. 17, 2025 fire at Moss Landing), Seahawk includes new technology battery units that are housed within purpose-built, sealed, steel containers meeting national fire safety standards and testing.
Each container will feature on-board heat monitoring and specialized fire suppression systems, and each container will be physically separated by a buffer zone of several feet consistent with the most updated California Fire Codes for energy storage systems. In addition, the batteries planned for Seahawk will utilize lithium phosphate (LFP) chemistry, which is much more stable than the currently widely deployed nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) chemistry.
The project is being planned in collaboration with the Pajaro Valley Fire Protection District and CALFIRE, with input from other nearby by fire protection agencies, to ensure it meets or exceeds all relevant fire regulations.
The project will also follow the provisions of Senate Bill 38, authored by Senator John Laird, which establishes protocols to protect the health and well-being of workers and surrounding communities. Specifically, SB 38 requires the development of an emergency response plan, to be created in close coordination with local emergency response agencies and submitted to local government, as well as a notification and communication procedure.
Replace carbon-based energy
Strengthen our local electricity grid
Support clean, renewable energy
Help Prevent Rolling Blackouts
replace carbon-based energy
Strengthen our local electricity grid
Safety is Priority #1
The Seahawk Energy Storage project features safety measures that follow the very latest California guidelines and legislation. In contrast with older systems that have experienced significant safety issues (such as the Jan. 17, 2025 fire at Moss Landing), Seahawk includes new technology battery units that are housed within purpose-built, sealed, steel containers meeting national fire safety standards and testing.
Each container will feature on-board heat monitoring and specialized fire suppression systems, and each container will be physically separated by a buffer zone of several feet consistent with the most updated California Fire Codes for energy storage systems. In addition, the batteries planned for Seahawk will utilize lithium phosphate (LFP) chemistry, which is much more stable than the currently widely deployed nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) chemistry.
The project is being planned in collaboration with the Pajaro Valley Fire Protection District and CALFIRE, with input from other nearby by fire protection agencies, to ensure it meets or exceeds all relevant fire regulations.
The project will also follow the provisions of Senate Bill 38, authored by Senator John Laird, which establishes protocols to protect the health and well-being of workers and surrounding communities. Specifically, SB 38 requires the development of an emergency response plan, to be created in close coordination with local emergency response agencies and submitted to local government, as well as a notification and communication procedure.
The Seahawk Energy Project is envisioned to store energy at a proposed site near College Lake in the Pajaro Valley. The project will establish critical, new local infrastructure that will strengthen the electrical grid locally, while contributing to a greener and more sustainable power source that supports California's evolution to clean, renewable energy to replace carbon-based energy sources.
The project achieves this by storing clean energy in batteries for use during peak energy demand periods, helping to eliminate the need for rolling blackouts and use of “public safety power shutoffs.” In addition, the stored energy supports disaster preparedness, response and recovery.
The proposed project’s batteries will utilize safe and reliable lithium-ion batteries that feature lithium phosphate chemistry.
The proposed site is located at 90 Minto Road, Watsonville, and will utilize up to 16 acres of a 47-acre parcel directly adjacent to PG&E’s existing Green Valley Substation. The remaining land on the parcels is envisioned to be preserved as agricultural land, including existing farm buildings, through a long-term conservation easement.
About New Leaf Energy
New Leaf Energy develops large-scale solar and energy storage systems in the US. New Leaf Energy takes the safety of residents near our projects very seriously, which is why our multi-layered approach to designing and developing energy storage systems puts safety at the center of every decision.