Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E) customers received more renewable and greenhouse gas-free electricity in 2021 than ever before. PG&E’s mix of electricity sources remains among the cleanest in the nation.
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PG&E estimates that 50% of its customers’ electricity in 2021 came from specified eligible-renewable resources including biopower, geothermal, small hydroelectric, solar and wind power, according to its recent Form 10-K. Overall, 93% of its customers’ electricity came from greenhouse gas (GHG)-free resources, including renewables, nuclear and large hydroelectric power.
“Working with our customers, communities and other partners, we have transformed California’s energy landscape—creating a robust renewable energy market and reducing greenhouse-gas emissions across the state. Now, we’re adding more battery energy storage to enable even more renewables onto our electric grid, paving the way to a healthier environment and carbon-neutral energy system for all Californians,” said PG&E Corporation Chief Executive Officer Patti Poppe.
PG&E strongly supports California’s clean energy policies, renewable goals, and efforts to limit and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Based on current forecasts, PG&E is on track to meet the state’s renewable and carbon-free requirements under Senate Bill 100, including delivering 60% of its electricity from eligible renewable resources by 2030.
Solar Dominates Power Mix
At 54%, large-scale solar energy accounts for the largest portion of PG&E’s total renewable energy power mix. The company has over 250 Renewables Portfolio Standard-eligible power purchase contracts, totaling over 6,500 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy. Of that, about two-thirds is solar energy. According to the California Independent System Operator (ISO), one MW produces roughly enough electricity to power 750 homes. PG&E also owns 445 MW of eligible-renewable generation, including 13 solar power plants, which are mainly located in California’s Central Valley and generate up to 152 MW of clean power.
Additionally, PG&E has connected more than 608,000 customers with rooftop solar to the electric grid, and supports customers with resources before, during and after they go solar. One in every five solar rooftops in the country are in PG&E’s service area.