California has reached a new milestone in its clean energy transition, with the state now adding 30,800 megawatts of new clean energy and storage capacity since 2019. This amount is enough to supply about half of California’s record peak electricity demand, according to Governor Gavin Newsom.
On October 8, the California Energy Commission (CEC) approved $136 million in additional investments for clean energy and climate technology projects. These funds are part of ongoing efforts under the Newsom administration to expand renewable power and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Coal is nearly eliminated from California’s power mix. In 2024, coal contributed just 2.2% of the state’s electricity supply—most of it from Utah’s Intermountain Power Plant, which is scheduled to stop burning coal this year. When this happens, coal’s share will fall below 0.2%, making California one of the least coal-dependent states in the country.
“While Trump bets on the past, California is building the future,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “Regressive energy policy may play well on Fox News, but it’s plain bad economics. Today it costs more to run a dirty fossil fuel power plant than to build a brand-new clean energy facility. The markets know where the future is headed — and so do we. Clean, green, reliable power — that’s California’s bet, and we’re already winning it.”
The rate of clean energy development in California continues to accelerate as utilities and developers take advantage of falling costs for solar and battery storage projects. The state’s power sector leads all other sectors in decarbonization efforts.
Recent industry analyses indicate that renewables like solar and wind are now less expensive than operating modern gas plants for new generation needs. In 2024, solar photovoltaic accounted for roughly 72% of global new capacity additions; in the U.S., solar represented about two-thirds of all new electric capacity installed last year.
The latest figures from CEC and California Independent System Operator show that approximately 9% of newly added capacity comes from out-of-state clean projects supplying electricity into California between January 2019 and August 2025.
“This milestone is proof that California’s clean energy transformation can’t be slowed or derailed,” said CEC Chair David Hochschild. “Clean power is the backbone of our economy and the heartbeat of a reliable, resilient grid. We are the model for the world to follow.”
California has an additional 21,000 megawatts contracted or under development through 2029 as part of orders issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
“California is not just planning for a clean energy future; we’re building it right now,” said CPUC President Alice Reynolds. “The bold actions the state has taken prove that reliability and sustainability can go hand in hand. We’re setting a global standard for what a modern, electrified economy looks like.”
At its recent meeting, CEC allocated $136 million toward several initiatives:
– Nearly $19 million will support thousands of new or upgraded electric vehicle chargers across the state—including installations at low-income housing sites and public fast-charging stations along travel corridors.
– Over $117 million will fund battery storage expansion and next-generation technologies such as a large-scale battery system in Riverside County ($25 million), direct air capture pilot programs ($4 million), software development for campus-based virtual power plants ($3.1 million), research grants ($35 million), and port upgrades supporting offshore wind ($42 million).
These investments aim to strengthen grid reliability while keeping energy affordable statewide.
In related developments:
– The CPUC recently authorized Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) to invest up to $2.8 billion between 2025–2026 in infrastructure upgrades intended to connect more customers—including housing units and EV charging—to the grid more quickly.
– A CPUC-adopted plan calls for over 60 gigawatts (GW) of new clean generation by 2035 while maintaining system reliability at minimal cost to consumers; this strategy targets greenhouse gas reductions exceeding 45 percent by that year.
California reports continued progress linking economic growth with lower emissions: since 2000, greenhouse gases have fallen by about one-fifth while GDP grew by nearly four-fifths during that period.
In terms of renewable output records: two-thirds of California’s electricity came from clean sources in 2023—the highest among major economies—and parts or all days this year have seen full reliance on carbon-free electricity.
Battery storage capacity now exceeds 15,000 megawatts—a more than nineteenfold increase since Governor Newsom took office—with over 30,000 megawatts added overall during his tenure.
The CEC serves as California’s main agency overseeing state energy policy development, efficiency promotion, innovation investment, renewable project support, transportation transformation efforts, emergency preparation strategies, and thermal plant certification.
