A California State Energy Commission Anticipates Rising Electricity Demand

With a mandate to be 50% powered by renewables by 2030 hanging overhead, the California Energy Commission (CEC) updated its energy demand forecast. The prediction sees demand rising overall, with much of the rise stemming from more electric vehicles (EVs), more consumption from manufacturers, savings erosion from efficient-energy programs, and a shift in the counting method for savings in residential lighting. The commission also noted a net increase in growth on the back of coming solar expansions. 

The report is used by California’s Public Utilities Commission for resource planning, among other initiatives. The CEC makes the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions a priority in their report, highlighting the dangers of climate change and its effect on energy consumption as well as other major concern areas. Integrating the inevitable rise in solar and wind energy is imperative to keep energy reliable and the environment sustainable, the report says. 

A second report was also approved by the CEC this month. The Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR) conducts similar analyses to those of its partner report, but it focuses on natural gas and transportation in addition to electricity. The IEPR report notes the growth in choice aggregation both generally and in terms of California’s energy consumption.