Solar May Bail California Out of Summer Hydro Shortage
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California, facing a record drought that’s dried up hydropower supplies and spurred wildfires, has enough electricity to supply peak demand this summer thanks to a jump in solar and gas-fired generation, according to the state’s grid manager.
Demand in the state, which uses more power than any other except Texas, is expected to reach 47,351 megawatts when rising temperatures boost air-conditioner use, the California Independent System Operator Corp. said in an assessment today. The system will have 56,550 megawatts at its disposal when demand peaks, with 3,243 new megawatts of mostly solar and gas-fired power coming online by June 1, the ISO said.