CPUC Sets 2035 Emission Target, Projects Major Growth in Solar Energy and Gas Plant Closures.

The California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) has set a target to reduce emissions to 25 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMT) emissions by 2035. This target will guide utilities in their electricity choices. The default future projection, known as the 25 MMT Core Case, projects for 10 GW of utility scale solar deployed in 2024, growing to nearly 10 GW in 2028, before nearly doubling to 17.9 GW by 2033 and reaching 57.5 GW annually by 2045. The CPUC also considered additional models, including a “Low Gas” model which proposes accelerating the closure of gas plants beyond the projections. The state also reduced the projected volume of out-of-state wind available to 52.82 GW of potential capacity.