California’s 2024 renewable electricity supply soared, helping to avoid blackouts and cost increases

Clean, renewable energy sources like solar and wind are increasingly powering California in place of dirty energy sources like oil and gas. The environmental and public health benefits of more clean energy, like less air pollution and less global warming pollution, are well documented. However, new research led by Stanford University’s Dr. Mark Jacobson shows how 2024’s unprecedented renewable electricity advancement led to other significant benefits including preventing blackouts and no cost increases. The paper also concludes that renewable electricity is not to blame for high electricity prices in California.

Renewable electricity growth in 2024

Over the entire year, renewable electricity sources met or exceeded demand on California’s main electricity grid for a portion of 132 days, including on a notable stretch of 98 out of 116 days from March 7 to June 30. During this period where renewables met electricity demand for an average of nearly 5 hours per day, the state experienced no blackouts or electricity cost increases. 

Solar power increased by 31%, wind power increased by 8%, and the use of batteries for power increased by 105% during the 116 days in 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, resulting in an estimated 40% decrease in fossil gas electricity generation between the two periods. 

Renewable electricity reduces costs

The paper notes how, today, higher penetration of renewables actually reduces electricity costs and prices. Of the twelve U.S. states with the highest renewable electricity supply as a percent of demand, 10 are among the top 20 states with the lowest electricity prices. A similar study shows that states with significant clean energy growth have not generally experienced retail rate increases above inflation. 

In fact, Dr. Jacobson identifies the high cost of fossil gas, substantial wildfire mitigation costs, and the costs of the San Bruno and Aliso Canyon gas disasters passed on to customers by utilities as the causes of California’s high 2024 electricity prices– not renewables like solar, wind and batteries. 

How to meet California’s 100% clean electricity requirement

Dr. Jacobson’s paper outlines additional actions needed to meet all of California’s electricity demand with clean, renewable energy 24/7. 

1. More solar on rooftops and parking lots and improvements in energy efficiency will help reduce electricity demand
2. More utility-scale solar and batteries will help California’s grid achieve 100% clean electricity generation, even during the hottest summer days and nights
3. Nighttime electricity demand can be met by offshore wind power, which peaks during California’s evenings and summers, as well as hydroelectricity and more energy efficiency programs.
4. Enhanced geothermal energy can help provide consistent clean power day and night.