Highlight
- Renewable energy180 is the fastest-growing fuel source for both electric and non-electric consumption, growing 47 percent and 125 percent, respectively, from 2008 to 2020. Renewable energy’s share of energy consumption in California doubled from 8.4 percent in 2008 to 16.4 percent in 2020, while fossil fuel’s shares declined from 75.4 percent to 69.9 percent during the same period. Total electricity consumption of natural gas has increased 8 percent from 2019 to 2020, rebounding to the previous consumption level in 2018. The increase is likely a result of natural gas-fired generation additions that continue to displace coal-fired generation, and increased in-state production.
180 This includes biodiesel and fuel ethanol as well as non-RPS eligible sources such as conventional hydroelectric. The State Energy Data Systems (SEDS) does not distinguish conventional hydroelectric from small hydro.
Challenge
- Natural gas still remains the second-largest source of California’s electricity consumption (58.1%). It increased by 10 percent in 2020 year-over-year, mostly due to an increase in fossil fuel electricity consumption to avoid blackouts during extreme high-heat events.
More About
Energy Efficiency
Related Content