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State Study Shows Sufficient Power for Next Summer

11/21/2000

LCG, Nov. 21.2000--The California Energy Commission said the state should have enough power to meet its electricity demand next summer, unless the state experiences extraordinarily hot weather, according to a study it released yesterday. Pass the grain of salt, please.

"With new resources coming on-line and new conservation measures taking effect, next summer looks better than expected, if we manage our resources properly," said Steve Larson, executive director of the commission.

That view was not unanimous. "I would characterize their report as very, very, very, very optimistic," said Kellan Fluckiger, chief operating officer of the California Independent System Operator. "I hope this report doesn't detract one iota from the urgency for supply generation and transmission capacity additions."

The Energy Commission is in charge of additions to the generation supply, as the authority that grants site permits for new power plants in California.

According to the commission's study, peak demand next summer under "most likely" temperature conditions will be 47,266 megawatts (not 47,265 or 46,270). Add in a 7 percent reserve margin, and the commission says it will need a minimum of 50,303 megawatts. But it claims it can put its hands on 52,500 megawatts, so all's well.

If it's warmer than normal, there will still be enough power, but if it is super-hot, a one year in 10 likelihood, then the state will fall short.

Yesterday, the Cal-ISO had trouble putting its hands on 33,000 megawatts and declared a stage two power emergency.