Nearly 70% of the electricity Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) delivered to its customers in 2016 came from greenhouse gas-free resources, according to the company.
PG&E says it delivered an average of 32.8% of its electricity from renewables in 2016. That’s more than a 3% increase in just one year.
One of the nation’s cleanest energy companies, PG&E delivered an average of 32.8% of its electricity in 2016 from renewable resources including wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and hydroelectric sources. That’s more than a three-percent increase in just one year, and the highest percentage yet for the state’s largest combined natural gas and electric company.
A total of 69.3% of PG&E’s electric power mix is from nuclear, large hydro and renewable sources of energy.
“Delivering this amount of renewable electricity strongly confirms PG&E’s continued commitment to a cleaner energy future for our customers and all of California,” said Geisha Williams, CEO and President, PG&E Corporation. “We embrace our role as a leader in renewable energy, and we are full speed ahead in reaching our next targets.”
This record level of renewable deliveries also propels PG&E toward California’s goal of 50% renewables by 2030.
The renewable energy milestone comes as the energy company has continued to deliver strong electric reliability over the last decade. By investing in its electric infrastructure and integrating innovative technology to make its power grid smarter and more resilient, PG&E has reduced the number and duration of power outages impacting its customers.
California’s Renewables Portfolio Standard is one of the most progressive clean energy mandates in the country. Established in 2002, it required energy providers to increase renewable energy deliveries to 20% by 2017, and in 2008 expanded the goal to 33% by the end of 2020. Nearly achieving 33% renewable energy delivery and continuing the company’s advanced pace of renewable energy integration reflects PG&E’s larger commitment in the fight against climate change, said Williams.
PG&E has been a leader in clean energy and energy efficiency for nearly 50 years, beginning with energy conservation programs in the 1970s and continuing in the early 2000’s with the first clean energy power purchase contracts.
PG&E’s diverse renewable power mix includes solar, wind, geothermal, bio-power and small, eligible-renewable hydroelectric energy. In 2016, PG&E expanded purchases of biomass electricity to help address the state’s historic tree mortality crisis. In addition, PG&E has connected 285,000 customers with private rooftop solar to the energy grid – representing about 25% of the nation’s rooftop solar and more than 2,409 MWs of clean energy.
The company owns one of the nation’s largest hydro-electric systems, as well as Diablo Canyon Power Plant, both of which emit no greenhouse gases. The entire diverse portfolio allows PG&E to deliver more than 69.3% of its power from sources which emit no greenhouse gases.
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