San Diego NAVWAR site data center proposal

Manchester Financial Group has explored developing a 400-megawatt data center on a 70-acre federal site in San Diego near the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) campus. The project, which could potentially become the largest data center in California, has involved CEO Ted Eldredge seeking energy cost estimates from San Diego Community Power to assist in investor meetings.

The proposal has raised concerns regarding the scale of electricity consumption and whether the project fulfills previous promises to develop residential housing, parks, and retail on the site. Manchester Financial Group has responded by stating that thousands of homes remain part of its development plans and maintains that “no formal negotiations or agreements for a data center are currently underway.”

San Diego city and state officials, supported by community activists, have expressed strong opposition to the proposed facility in the historic Old Town area. Under a proposed public-private partnership, the developer would build new facilities for NAVWAR on a portion of the property and redevelop the remaining 60 acres for housing, retail, and commercial use.

Council President Joe LaCava criticized the proposal, stating that data centers consume significant electricity and water without providing sufficient benefits to local residents. In response to broader concerns, Mayor Todd Gloria signed an executive order to pause the construction of all data centers within the city. However, officials warned that such a moratorium might not prevent development on the naval base, as the Navy is not required to follow local zoning regulations.