Umair Gaines
California has the largest population and the largest economy in the United States. It is the second-largest energy consumer after Texas. In 2019, California was the largest net electricity importer of any state in the US, with net electricity imports of 70.8 million megawatt-hours (MWh), or 25% of the state's total electricity supply. California imports electricity from neighbouring states such as Oregon, Washington, and Nevada, as well as other Western states and Canadian provinces. California also imports electricity from Mexico.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| California's net electricity imports in 2019 | 70.8 million megawatt-hours (MWh) or 25% of the state's total electricity supply |
| California's net electricity imports in 2021 | 277,764 gigawatt-hours (GWh) |
| California's net electricity imports in 2022 | 287,220 gigawatt-hours (GWh) |
| California's electricity imports as a percentage of the total system electric generation in 2022 | 29.2% |
| California's electricity imports as a percentage of the total system electric generation in 2019 | 32% |
| California's ranking in electricity imports in 2019 | 1st |
| California's ranking in electricity imports in 2021 | 1st |
| California's ranking in per capita energy consumption in 2018 | 4th lowest |
| California's ranking in total energy consumption | 2nd |
| California's ranking in population and economy | 1st |
| Sources of California's electricity imports | Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Texas, Pacific Northwest, Southwest, Canada |
| California's electricity cost in 2021 | 19.7 cents per kWh |
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What You'll Learn
California's energy imports in 2019
California has the largest population and the largest economy in the United States. It is the second-largest energy consumer after Texas. In 2019, California was the largest net electricity importer of any state in the US, with net electricity imports of 70.8 million megawatt-hours (MWh) or 25% of the state's total electricity supply. California's electricity imports include hydroelectric power from the Pacific Northwest, transmitted via high-voltage transmission lines from Oregon to the Los Angeles area. The state also imports power from several power plants in Arizona and Utah, including a 2.4 GW HVDC line that provides coal-generated electricity to Los Angeles.
California's non-carbon dioxide-emitting electric generation categories (nuclear, large hydroelectric, and renewables) accounted for 57% of its generation in 2019, compared to 55% in 2018. In-state generation increased by 3% (5,633 GWh) to 200,475 GWh, largely due to increased generation from in-state large hydroelectric power plants. This increase was offset by a 15% decrease in net imports to 77,229 GWh, down from 90,647 GWh in 2018.
California's energy imports are determined by the California Energy Commission, which collects and verifies data from balancing authorities for energy imports and exports. The allocation of fuel types is based on Power Source Disclosure reports from entities such as investor-owned utilities, publicly owned utilities, and community-choice aggregators. Unspecified power refers to electricity that cannot be traced to a specific generating facility, such as electricity traded through open market transactions.
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Energy sources from neighbouring states
California has the largest population and the largest economy in the United States. It is the second-largest total energy consumer after Texas, but its per capita energy consumption is the fourth-lowest in the nation. The state's energy consumption is dominated by transportation, due to the high number of motor vehicles and long commutes. California is also responsible for about 20% of the US's total jet fuel consumption.
California's electricity rates are among the highest in the United States. This is due to the changing energy mix within the state, including the aggressive construction of new natural gas power plants. As of 2021, California's electricity costs were 19.7 cents per kWh. Due to high electricity demand and a lack of local power plants, California imports more electricity than any other state. In 2019, California's net electricity imports were the largest in the country at 70.8 million megawatt-hours (MWh), or 25% of the state's total electricity supply.
California's electricity imports are tracked from two geographical regions: the Northwest and the Southwest. The Northwest category is made up of Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming. The Southwest category includes Arizona, Baja California, Colorado, Mexico, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah.
California's electricity imports from neighbouring states include hydroelectric power from the Pacific Northwest, transmitted via high-voltage transmission lines from Oregon to the Los Angeles area. From Utah, a 2.4 GW HVDC line, Path 27, provides coal-generated electricity to Los Angeles. From the Southeast, Path 46 brings up to 10.6 GW of electricity from sources including hydroelectric, fossil fuels, nuclear, and solar from generating stations in Nevada and Arizona.
California also has the capacity to export energy to other states. For example, during sunny periods, the state could export excess solar and wind-generated electricity to other states, and import wind-generated electricity when it is not windy in California. However, the legislature has resisted allowing more connections with other states for fear of losing sovereignty over the state's electricity supply.
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Energy imports from Canada and Mexico
California is the state with the largest population and the largest economy in the United States. It is second in energy consumption after Texas. California's electricity rates are among the highest in the United States. Due to high electricity demand and a lack of local power plants, California imports more electricity than any other state. In 2019, California's net electricity imports were the largest in the country at 70.8 million megawatt-hours (MWh), or 25% of the state's total electricity supply. In 2018, California imported 32% of its consumption.
California's electricity imports include hydroelectric power from the Pacific Northwest, largely across high-voltage transmission lines running from Oregon to the Los Angeles area. From Utah, a 2.4 GW HVDC line, Path 27, provides coal-generated electricity to Los Angeles. From the Southeast, Path 46 brings up to 10.6 GW of electricity from sources including hydroelectric, fossil fuels, nuclear, and solar from generating stations in Nevada and Arizona. California utilities partly own and import power from several power plants in Arizona and Utah.
California also imports electricity from Canada and Mexico. From 2013 to 2017, California was one of the five states that imported the most electricity from Canada or Mexico, along with New York, Vermont, Minnesota, and Michigan. In 2024, the US received over four times as much electricity from Canada as from Mexico, highlighting Canada's crucial role in meeting US energy demand. The US imported approximately 27,220,531 MWh of electricity from Canada in 2024. However, this trade relationship is currently under strain due to escalating trade tensions. In 2023, California received less power from British Columbia due to increased renewable power and hydropower generation capacity in the state.
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California's energy exports
California has the largest population and the largest economy in the United States. It is second in energy consumption after Texas. As of 2018, per capita consumption was the fourth-lowest in the United States, partially due to the mild climate and energy efficiency programs. California has large energy resources and is among the top producers of oil, hydroelectricity, solar, biomass, and geothermal.
California's electricity rates are among the highest in the United States due to the changing energy mix within the state, including the aggressive construction of new natural gas power plants. As of 2021, California's electricity costs were 19.7 cents per kWh. Due to the high electricity demand and the lack of local power plants, California imports more electricity than any other state, primarily wind and hydroelectric power from states in the Pacific Northwest and nuclear, coal, and natural gas-fired production from the desert Southwest. In 2019, California's net electricity imports were the largest in the country at 70.8 million megawatt-hours (MWh), or 25% of the state's total electricity supply. California utilities partly own and import power from several power plants in Arizona and Utah. In addition, California's electricity imports include hydroelectric power from the Pacific Northwest, largely across high-voltage transmission lines running from Oregon to the Los Angeles area.
California's commitment to clean energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions has led to partnerships with other states that have strong renewable energy portfolios. For example, California imports a considerable amount of renewable energy from states like Texas, which has a robust wind energy sector. By importing renewable energy from other states, California can offset its reliance on fossil fuels and reduce its carbon footprint. California's import of electricity from neighbouring states and countries is a strategic approach to meet its energy needs and advance its clean energy goals. Importing electricity allows the state to access surplus energy from regions with abundant resources, diversify its energy portfolio, and enhance energy security.
California exports its excess solar and wind-generated electricity to other states during sunny times of the day and imports wind-generated electricity when the wind is blowing in other Western states but not in California. However, the legislature has resisted allowing more connections for fear of losing sovereignty over the state's electricity supply.
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California's clean energy goals
California has established itself as a leader in the transition to clean energy in the United States. The state has set ambitious goals for itself to achieve carbon neutrality and reduce its carbon footprint.
In 2018, Senate Bill 100 and other legislation set targets for California's retail electricity sales to be supplied by renewable and zero-carbon resources. As of 2021, 61% of California's retail electricity sales come from zero-carbon, clean generation, with large hydroelectric generation and nuclear power being significant contributors. California's clean energy growth is non-linear, and the state has made significant progress in certain areas, such as the aggressive construction of new natural gas power plants. However, challenges remain in connecting new renewable projects to the grid and managing the system as the state approaches its clean energy goals.
California is the state with the largest population and economy in the United States, and it is second only to Texas in energy consumption. The state's energy consumption is dominated by the transportation sector due to the high number of motor vehicles and long commutes. Additionally, California accounts for about 20% of total jet fuel consumption in the country. Despite this, California's per capita energy consumption is relatively low compared to other states, thanks to its mild climate and energy efficiency programs.
The state has set targets for interim goals for zero-carbon electricity generation: 90% by 2035, 95% by 2040, and 100% by 2045. It also aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2045, with net-negative emissions thereafter. To achieve these goals, the California Energy Commission (CEC) funded a study that explored 10 scenarios to reduce GHG emissions by 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2050.
California's leaders assert that the state is on track to meet its clean energy goals while also growing its economy. However, carbon emissions have increased in the last two years, and the state faces challenges in integrating new renewable projects into its energy grid. California's progress and challenges serve as a "postcard from the future" for other states working towards similar clean energy transitions.
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Frequently asked questions
California is a net importer of electricity, meaning it buys more electricity than it sells. In 2019, California's net electricity imports were the largest in the country at 70.8 million megawatt-hours (MWh), or 25% of the state's total electricity supply. However, experts have stated that more grid connections to other states would allow California to export its excess solar and wind-generated electricity to other states.
California imports electricity from other states in the US, including Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. It also imports electricity from other countries, including Canada and Mexico.
California imports electricity to meet its energy needs and advance its clean energy goals. The state has a large population and a large economy, making it the second-largest energy consumer in the US. By importing electricity, California can access surplus energy from regions with abundant resources and diversify its energy portfolio.
California imports a mix of electricity sources, including wind, hydroelectric power, nuclear, coal, and natural gas-fired production. The state is committed to clean energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, so it also imports a considerable amount of renewable energy from states like Texas, which has a robust wind energy sector.
