Solar moves ahead of wind, hydro in California fuel mix, toward 10% of state’s power
The rise of solar in California has been rapid and the impact of the state’s four-year drought has been powerful. Three years earlier, in 2012, solar was 0.9% of CAISO’s generation mix while wind was 4% and hydro was 9.3% of the state’s electricity supply.
The growth of renewables in California is the result of the state’s rich solar and wind resources and policies that have driven the development of them. Under the 33% renewables by 2020 mandate, PG&E has contracted for 31.3% of its power to be renewables by 2020, SCE has contracted for 23.5%, and SDG&E has contracted for 38.8%, according to the California Public Utilities Commission. All are now gearing up to meet the new 50% by 2030 mandate.
California’s electricity average generation mix, according to CAISO, is 58.8% natural gas, 24.3% renewables, 12.5% large hydro, 3.5% nuclear, 0.5% coal and 0.4% oil.
