Wiktor Wise
San Diego's electricity predominantly comes from local power plants that burn natural gas, but the city is making efforts to transition to clean and renewable energy sources. San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), the primary energy provider, has seen significant profit increases in recent years, with rates rising from 28.9 cents per kWh to 47.6 cents per kWh between 2020 and 2024. Despite this, there is a push for the city to create its own power utility, which would likely initially purchase power from the energy market before developing its own clean energy projects. San Diego Community Power is one such initiative, focusing on providing clean and affordable energy through diversified power sources, including wind and solar power. Additionally, the city is exploring pumped energy storage projects and utilizing methane from the Metropolitan Biosolids Center and Miramar Landfill to generate electricity.
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What You'll Learn
San Diego Gas & Electric
SDG&E has been working towards providing clean and renewable energy to its customers. In 1976, the company filed an application with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission to build two nuclear reactors as part of the Sundesert Nuclear Power Plant project. However, the project faced opposition from California legislators and the public.
Currently, much of San Diego's electricity comes from local power plants that burn natural gas. However, there is a growing focus on transitioning to clean energy sources, such as solar and wind power. The city of San Diego is committed to achieving 100% renewable energy, with projects like the San Vicente Energy Storage Facility, which aims to provide on-demand energy production and help meet climate goals.
SDG&E is also exploring options to transition to clean power sources, although the path forward is less clear. One option is for the city to create its own power utility, which would initially buy power from the energy market before eventually generating its own power. This would allow the city to choose the sources of energy running through SDG&E's power lines. SDG&E could also continue to play a role in San Diego's energy future by partnering with the city to achieve its renewable energy goals.
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Solar energy
San Diego is an ideal location for solar power due to its abundant sunshine and frequent power outages caused by wildfires and grid instability. The city's solar energy initiatives are driven by community-based organizations like San Diego Community Power, which aims to provide clean and affordable energy to the region.
The city and its residents have embraced solar energy as a means to reduce their carbon footprint and promote a sustainable future. San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), the city's primary utility company, offers various incentives and rebates to encourage the adoption of solar power. These include the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) and the San Diego Solar Equity Program (SDSEP), which provide financial assistance for installing solar panels on residential and commercial properties. SDG&E also offers resources to help customers find qualified solar contractors and navigate the installation process.
The combination of solar panels and battery storage has become increasingly popular in San Diego. This setup allows residents to store excess energy during peak sunlight hours and use it during periods of higher energy demand or outages. By reducing their reliance on the grid, homeowners can achieve significant savings on their electricity bills and contribute to a healthier planet.
San Diego's commitment to solar energy is evident through its initiatives and community engagement. The city is well-positioned to harness the power of the sun to meet its energy needs and foster a more sustainable future.
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Methane gas
The City of San Diego sources its electricity from a variety of renewable energy sources, including solar, landfill gas, hydro-electric, and wastewater methane energy systems. The city has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its efforts in generating power from alternative energy sources and ranks eighth nationally in clean power production.
The North City Water Reclamation Plant operates in a similar manner, using methane piped from the Miramar Landfill. This plant generates approximately 5,000 kilowatts and consumes over 75% of the energy it produces. The Point Loma plant is another example of methane utilization, where methane fuels two continuous generators, each capable of producing up to 2,235 kilowatts of electricity. This plant's excess power is also fed into the utility energy grid, earning credits for other facilities' energy bills.
By harnessing methane gas, San Diego not only contributes to its goal of achieving 100% renewable energy but also reduces its carbon footprint and promotes a cleaner, more sustainable future for its community. These methane-to-energy projects showcase the city's commitment to environmental sustainability and innovation in the face of climate change.
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Community Choice Aggregators
San Diego's electricity currently comes mostly from local power plants that burn natural gas. However, the city is exploring two paths to transition to 100% renewable energy. One option is to create its own power utility, which would initially purchase power from the energy market before eventually generating its own power through projects. This path would give the city more control over its energy sources, allowing it to choose what power runs through the lines owned by San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). The other option is to stick with SDG&E, but the path to clean power sources is less clear in this scenario.
San Diego Community Power (SDCP) is a prime example of a CCA in the region. SDCP is a community-driven clean energy provider committed to powering San Diego with clean and affordable energy. They contract for wind and solar power, ensuring a diversified power mix and a reliable energy supply. SDCP has set an ambitious goal of achieving 100% clean and renewable electricity by 2035 or sooner, making them the first in the state to establish such a target.
Through their initiatives, SDCP promotes emission reductions and a healthier community. They encourage the replacement of fossil fuel-burning appliances with electric ones, which can be powered by their renewable energy offerings. Additionally, SDCP supports the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), which significantly reduce carbon emissions. With transportation accounting for a substantial portion of emissions in California and the San Diego region, the shift towards EVs can have a notable environmental impact.
The success and impact of CCAs like SDCP are evident in San Diego's progress towards renewable energy goals. The city is actively developing projects, such as the San Vicente Energy Storage Facility, to harness solar energy and address the challenges of rolling blackouts. Additionally, the Point Loma plant has achieved energy self-sufficiency by converting methane, produced on-site, into electricity. This excess power is fed into the utility energy grid, benefiting other facilities. These initiatives showcase San Diego's commitment to local projects and clean power sources, with CCAs playing a pivotal role in driving this transition.
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Hydroelectricity
The San Diego County Water Authority has demonstrated its commitment to harnessing hydroelectric power through the development of the Rancho Penasquitos Pressure Control and Hydroelectric Facility (RP PCHF). Located in the Mira Mesa area, this facility plays a crucial role in enhancing the region's water delivery system. The RP PCHF is equipped with a 4.5-MW hydroelectric generator, which produces clean, renewable energy. This energy not only reduces the Water Authority's costs but also provides sufficient power for 5,000 homes in the area.
The use of hydroelectric power at the RP PCHF offers significant environmental benefits by avoiding the emission of over 200 tons of sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide annually, which would otherwise occur through the use of fossil fuels. The Water Authority's initiative in designing and constructing this facility was recognised by the National Hydropower Association, highlighting their commitment to sustainable practices.
In addition to the RP PCHF, the San Diego County Water Authority, in collaboration with the city of San Diego, is also working on another hydroelectric project at the San Vicente Reservoir. Nestled in the Cuyamaca Mountains near Lakeside, this project aims to provide an estimated 500 megawatts of electricity to the grid when needed. The San Vicente Energy Storage Facility will utilise pumped hydroelectric storage technology, storing excess renewable energy during periods of low demand and releasing it during peak hours when renewable sources might be unavailable. This project is expected to provide electricity for eight hours per day, catering to approximately 135,000 households.
The San Vicente Energy Storage Facility is designed to integrate seamlessly with the existing San Vicente Reservoir, which will serve as the lower reservoir in the pumped hydro system. An additional upper reservoir will be constructed at a higher elevation to store water that will be released to generate electricity when needed. The project has received strong support from the state, securing a $18 million funding to cover preliminary expenses, including design, environmental reviews, and federal licensing.
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Frequently asked questions
San Diego's electricity comes from a variety of sources, including natural gas-burning power plants, solar panels, wind turbines, and hydroelectric facilities. The city is transitioning to clean power sources, with a goal of using 100% renewable energy by 2035.
San Diego is exploring two main paths to clean power. The first option is for the city to create its own power utility, allowing it to choose the power sources that run through the existing power lines owned by SDG&E. The second option is to keep SDG&E as the main provider but work with them to transition to cleaner energy sources.
San Diego is working on several projects to increase its renewable energy capacity. This includes the development of solar and wind energy projects, such as the Duran Mesa and IP Oberon solar farms, and the construction of energy storage facilities like the San Vicente Energy Storage Facility, which stores excess renewable energy from solar and wind sources during the day and discharges it during periods of high energy use in the evening.
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) consistently ranks among the top U.S. public utilities with the highest residential electricity rates. Between 2020 and 2024, SDG&E's electric rates increased significantly, from 28.9 cents per kWh to 47.6 cents per kWh.
