California Releases Report Charting Path to 100 Percent Clean Electricity

The California Energy Commission (CEC), California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), and California Air Resources Board (CARB) have released their first joint agency report and summary document outlining how California’s electricity system can transition to carbon-free energy by 2045.

This report is the initial analysis mandated by Senate Bill 100 (SB 100, De León, Chapter 312, Statutes of 2018), which requires that 100% of California’s electric retail sales be powered by renewable and zero-carbon energy by 2045. SB 100, signed into law in 2018, mandates that these clean energy resources replace fossil fuels for electricity generation in the state.

According to the 178-page report, the SB 100 goals can be achieved through multiple pathways. However, meeting these targets will require significant investments in clean energy technologies and a sustained build-out of renewable energy projects. Various modeled scenarios explored in the report demonstrate potential routes to achieving carbon-free energy, with further analysis of energy reliability and evolving conditions planned for future reports.

“The results of this preliminary analysis show that achieving a 100 percent clean electricity future is possible. The threat posed by climate change requires us to think and act boldly today,” said CEC Chair David Hochschild. “Building a carbon-free grid is foundational to achieving our climate goals and will provide good paying jobs and cleaner air to those who need it most.”

Key Findings of the SB 100 Report

1. Scaling Up Clean Energy Production

California must triple its current electricity grid capacity to meet the 2045 goal while electrifying other sectors and reducing economy-wide carbon emissions. The state needs to maintain a record-breaking pace of clean electricity capacity expansion for the next 25 years, adding approximately 6 gigawatts (GW) of new renewable and storage resources annually.

By comparison, California has averaged only 1 GW of utility solar and 300 megawatts (MW) of wind per year over the last decade. However, electricity providers regulated by the CPUC plan to add another 8 GW of clean energy resources over the next three years.

2. Economic and Social Benefits

Transitioning to a carbon-free electricity system will provide substantial benefits beyond reducing carbon emissions. This shift will:

• Reduce air pollution and improve public health.
• This will create thousands of high-quality jobs in industries such as wind turbine and solar panel manufacturing, installation, and clean energy technology development.

3. Cost Implications and Potential Savings

Modeling of the core scenario for achieving 100% clean electricity projects a 6% increase in total annual electricity system costs by 2045 compared to attaining 60% renewable energy by 2030. However, advancements in emerging technologies, cost reductions in existing technologies, and increased demand flexibility could reduce overall costs. These factors and reliability considerations will be explored in future analyses.

4. Clean Electricity: The Path to Carbon Neutrality

A clean electricity grid is essential for achieving carbon neutrality across California’s economy. Using clean electricity to power transportation, buildings, and industrial operations will help decarbonize these sectors, which—along with electricity generation – account for 92% of the state’s carbon emissions.

“Achieving 100 percent clean electricity by 2045 is not only a bold pursuit, but a wise one,” said CPUC President Marybel Batjer. “Such action is required to avoid the worst impacts and costs of climate change and to ensure the delivery of safe, affordable, reliable, and clean power to all Californians.”

California’s Progress Toward a Clean Energy Future

California has already made substantial progress toward a clean energy future. The state’s electricity mix is now more than 60% carbon-free, thanks to the aggressive promotion of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and the development of storage technologies. Approximately 36% of this energy comes from renewable sources, primarily wind and solar.

“We know reaching carbon neutrality is critical to avoiding the worst impacts of climate change and achieving our climate goals,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “Zero-carbon electricity is also critical for displacing combustion of fossil gas and petroleum to deliver needed public health benefits, especially in our frontline communities.”

Multiagency Actions to Ensure Reliability and Grid Stability

In response to the extreme heat wave of August 2020, the CPUC, California Independent System Operator (CAISO), and CEC implemented measures to prevent electricity shortages and ensure the delivery of reliable, clean, and affordable energy. These actions included:

• Expediting regulatory and procurement processes to bring new resources online by summer 2021.
• Ensuring that generation and storage projects already under construction were completed on schedule.

Meanwhile, CARB will begin updating the Assembly Bill 32 Climate Change Scoping Plan this year. This update will assess progress toward reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 and outline the path to carbon neutrality by 2045. The SB 100 report is a foundational document that will inform the development of the next scoping plan, which the CARB board will review in late 2022.

Additional Highlights from the SB 100 Report

• Achieving 100% clean electricity could generate thousands of jobs while lowering health risks in vulnerable communities.
• Innovation in zero-carbon technologies and increased demand flexibility may reduce electricity requirements and implementation costs.
• Long-term success depends on adapting to changing conditions, ensuring grid reliability, and maintaining affordability for all Californians.

A Collaborative Path Forward

The release of the SB 100 report marks the beginning of an ongoing effort to transition California to a carbon-free electricity system by 2045. [Insert Company/Website Name] applauds California’s leadership in pursuing bold climate action and recognizes that achieving this goal will require collective effort, technological advancements, and a commitment to sustainable energy development.

About the Agencies Leading the Effort

California Energy Commission (CEC)

The California Energy Commission drives the state toward a 100% clean energy future. Its core responsibilities include promoting renewable energy, transforming transportation, increasing energy efficiency, investing in energy innovation, and preparing for emergencies.

California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)

The California Public Utilities Commission regulates services and utilities, protects consumers, safeguards the environment, and ensures access to safe and reliable infrastructure and services.

California Air Resources Board (CARB)

The California Air Resources Board promotes public health and ecological balance by reducing air pollution and overseeing climate change programs. CARB leads efforts to maintain health-based air quality standards and reduce GHG emissions across the state.