California has reached a significant milestone in its clean energy transition, with the state now adding 30,800 megawatts of new clean energy and storage capacity since 2019. Governor Gavin Newsom announced that this amount is enough to supply about half of California’s peak electricity demand. The announcement coincides with the California Energy Commission’s (CEC) approval of $136 million in new investments for clean energy and climate technology.
The state is also nearing the elimination of coal from its power mix. In 2024, coal represented only 2.2% of California’s electricity generation, mostly sourced from Utah’s Intermountain Power Plant, which is scheduled to stop burning coal this year. Once this plant ceases operations, coal will account for less than 0.2% of the state’s power supply.
Governor Newsom stated, “While Trump bets on the past, California is building the future. 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 pace of clean energy development in California has accelerated rapidly as utilities and developers take advantage of declining costs for renewable projects like solar and battery storage. According to recent analysis by Lazard, solar and wind are now consistently the most cost-effective options for new electricity generation—cheaper even than running modern gas plants.
Data from CEC and the California Independent System Operator show that approximately 9% of new capacity added since January 2019 comes from projects outside California that deliver power into the state.
CEC Chair David Hochschild commented on these achievements: “This milestone is proof that California’s clean energy transformation can’t be slowed or derailed. 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.”
Looking ahead, there are an additional 21,000 megawatts of contracted clean energy resources expected by 2029 under procurement 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 latest business meeting, CEC approved funding allocations including nearly $19 million for electric vehicle charging infrastructure statewide—with installations planned at low-income housing sites and along major travel corridors—and over $117 million directed toward expanding battery storage systems and advancing next-generation technologies such as direct air capture pilots and virtual power plant software.
Other investments include upgrades at ports to support offshore wind development ($42 million), research grants for lowering energy costs ($35 million), and initiatives aimed at improving charger reliability.
The CPUC also recently authorized Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) to invest up to $2.8 billion between 2025-2026 in infrastructure designed to connect new customers—including residential developments and EV charging stations—to the grid more quickly.
In terms of long-term planning,the CPUC adopted a portfolio targeting over 60 gigawatts (GW) in new generation and storage resources by 2035 while aiming for substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions—all with an emphasis on keeping costs down for ratepayers.
Since 2000,California’s greenhouse gas emissions have dropped by about one-fifth, even as its gross domestic product increased significantly during that period.California became one of world’s largest economies while pursuing these policies.
Battery storage capacity alone has risen dramatically under Governor Newsom—from under 1 GW at his inauguration to over 15 GW today—a growth rate exceeding nineteen-fold since early 2019.More than two-thirdsof all electricity generated in-state last year came from clean sources.
The CEC continues its role as primary agency responsible for advancing state policy on renewables,energy efficiency, innovation investment,and emergency preparedness.
