California has reached a significant milestone in its clean energy efforts, according to an announcement from Governor Gavin Newsom. Since 2019, the state has added 30,800 megawatts of new clean energy and storage capacity. This amount is sufficient to supply about half of California’s record peak electricity demand.
The California Energy Commission (CEC) recently approved $136 million for new investments in clean energy and climate technology. These funds will be used for projects such as expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure and advancing battery storage technologies.
Coal use in California’s power supply is also declining rapidly. In 2024, coal made up only 2.2% of the state’s electricity generation, with most of it coming from the Intermountain Power Plant in Utah. This plant is scheduled to stop burning coal this year. Once that happens, coal’s share in California’s power mix will drop below 0.2%, making California one of the least coal-dependent states nationally and globally.
Governor Newsom commented on these developments by saying: “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.”
Clean energy development has accelerated in recent years as utilities and developers take advantage of lower costs associated with renewables like solar and wind compared to fossil fuels or even modern gas plants. Recent analysis shows that solar photovoltaic installations dominated global new capacity additions in 2024; solar accounted for about two-thirds of all new electric capacity added last year in the United States.
The reported 30,000 megawatt milestone includes both projects within California and some outside projects supplying power into the state through 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 plans further expansion with an additional 21,000 megawatts contracted or under development by 2029 due to procurement orders from 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 meeting, CEC approved nearly $19 million for grants supporting thousands of new or upgraded electric vehicle chargers across California—including installations at low-income housing sites—and over $117 million toward battery storage systems and next-generation technologies such as direct air capture pilots and software enabling college campuses to function as virtual power plants.
Additional measures include recent authorization by CPUC allowing PG&E up to $2.8 billion between 2025-2026 for infrastructure improvements aimed at connecting more customers—such as residential buildings or EV charging stations—to the grid more quickly.
In terms of long-term planning, CPUC adopted a portfolio targeting over 60 gigawatts (GW) of new clean generation and storage resources by 2035 while maintaining system reliability at minimal cost increases for ratepayers; this strategy aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 45 percent during that period.
Greenhouse gas emissions have dropped by about one-fifth since 2000 while economic output increased substantially—by approximately three-quarters—making California one of few places where pollution reduction coincides with strong economic growth.
Battery storage capacity alone has surged more than nineteen-fold since Governor Newsom took office.
The CEC continues its role as California’s primary agency overseeing policies related to advancing state energy objectives including innovation investment, efficiency promotion, renewable development, transportation transformation, emergency preparedness, thermal plant certification—and ensuring reliable access statewide.
