The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has directed Southern California Edison (SCE) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) to procure between 1000 MW and 1500 MW of new energy supplies to meet needs stemming from the closure of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station in 2013.
SCE was ordered to procure between 500 and 700 MW by 2022, while SDG&E was directed to procure between 500 and 800 MW over the same period.
At least 600 MW of the new capacity must be from California’s preferred resources, notably renewable and energy efficiency.
"The shutdown of San Onofre was significant and unforeseen, but opened up opportunities for new technologies to take its place," said CPUC Commissioner Catherine J.K. Sandoval.
"Up to 1500 megawatts of the generation authorised to replace San Onofre can come from energy efficiency, Demand Response, renewable energy, and energy storage, in line with California’s vision for a healthier environment and economic sustainability."
CPUC said that at least 25 % of SDG&E’s new local capacity must be from ‘preferred resources.’ Up to 60% of between 1900 and 2500 MW that SCE has been directed to procure in this and prior CPUC decisions could come from preferred resources.SCE and SDG&E are also required to procure at least 50 MW and 25 MW, respectively, from energy storage.
The two-unit SONGS station with a net generating capacity of 2150 MW supplied almost 7% of California’s electricity in 2010. SCE decided to retire SONGS 2&3 in June 2013, following issues with the steam generators.
Photo: San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station
