ReNew Riverside micro data center
Also called: Bristol Technology Center, ReNew Riverside LLC
ReNew wants a small data center (about 11,000 to 15,000 sq ft) at 234 Riverside Avenue, powered by its own fuel cell. The mayor says it would not use grid power and would use little water. Some residents worry about flooding, fuel storage and air quality near the river.
Where things stand: State approved the fuel cell; city wetlands panel approved in April 2026. City says zoning allows it; site approval still in process.
🕒 Latest update (July 14, 2026): City Council asked the Zoning Commission to shrink the 250,000 sq ft data center size cap and require special permits for small 'micro cloud' centers.
What we know
- 📍 Where234 Riverside Avenue, former car dealership by the Pequabuck River, Bristol, Naugatuck Valley Planning Region
- 🏢 CompanyReNew Riverside LLC (ReNew Developers)
- 🌳 Size1.62 acres
- ⚡ Power it needs4 megawatts (about as much as 3,200 homes)
- 🔌 Where the power comes from4 MW fuel cell on site, so it would not draw from the grid, per the mayor.
- 💧 WaterBristol Water & Sewer Department
- ❄️ CoolingClosed-loop liquid cooling
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- When will the Zoning Commission decide on the site plan? 🙋 I'll find out
- How big will the building be? Reports say 11,000, 15,000 and 27,000 sq ft. 🙋 I'll find out
- What happens to the site if the Pequabuck River floods? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- Dec 8, 2022State Siting Council approved a 4 MW fuel cell at 234 Riverside Avenue (Petition 1540).
- Aug 19, 2025Siting Council acted on a request for more time to build the fuel cell.
- Nov 10, 2025Zoning Commission approved adding 'data center' as a use in the city zoning rules.
- March 2026Inland Wetlands commission visited the site to review the plan.
- April 2026Inland Wetlands commission approved the plan with a planting plan.
- July 14, 2026City Council asked the Zoning Commission to shrink the 250,000 sq ft data center size cap and require special permits for small 'micro cloud' centers.
Local votes and rules
🗺️ Zoning change
The City Council voted unanimously to ask the Zoning Commission to lower the 250,000 square foot size cap for data centers. It also asked for special permits and public hearings for small 'micro cloud' centers, and for minimum distances between data centers. The Zoning Commission has not acted yet in the sources we found.
✅ Approved
The wetlands commission approved the Riverside Avenue data center plan next to the Pequabuck River, with conditions. The building still needs site plan and building approvals.
🗺️ Zoning change
The Zoning Commission added 'data center' as a use in the city zoning rules. This opened a path for data centers in the BHC, Industrial and Industrial Park zones. It is the rule the Riverside Avenue project uses.
An aerial photo of the area.
Where this comes from
- Petition No. 1540 (ReNew Developers, 234 Riverside Avenue) · Connecticut Siting Council · Aug 19, 2025
- Data Center Overview from the Mayor · City of Bristol · April 22, 2026
- Inland Wetlands conducts on-site review of proposed Riverside Avenue data center · The Bristol Edition · March 27, 2026
- Council asks zoning to limit data centers · The Bristol Edition · July 16, 2026
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