Pasadena Water and Power Advances Clean Energy Plan Toward 2030 Goal

Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) is moving closer to finalizing a comprehensive plan to achieve 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030, officials will tell city committee members Tuesday.

The Municipal Services Committee will receive an update from PWP on the Optimized Strategic Plan, a roadmap designed to meet goals set by Resolution 9977 while maintaining reliable and affordable power.

David M. Reyes, PWP General Manager, will present the informational update during the committee’s 4 p.m. meeting at City Hall.

The strategic plan consultant, Energy and Environmental Economics, Inc. (E3), has completed two major phases of analysis. The Portfolio Development Phase used detailed modeling to create multiple scenarios meeting clean energy goals. The Impact Assessment Phase calculated costs and identified opportunities and risks.

City Council provided guidance on May 5, directing staff to include five key components in the final report. These include procuring external renewable energy and storage resources with diverse options.

The plan also calls for accelerated development of local solar and storage within PWP’s service area. Demand-side programs and rate structures would encourage flexible electricity use and managed electric vehicle charging.

The Glenarm Power Plant would be preserved as backup for reliability. PWP would maintain a balanced position in the wholesale energy market to manage supply and demand.

The utility has already taken steps toward its clean energy goals. PWP is exiting the Intermountain Power Project and has added new wind, geothermal, solar and storage contracts since 2023.

New resources include Bonanza Solar at 105 megawatts and storage at 55 megawatts. Grace Solar adds 50 megawatts. Geothermal contracts include 25 megawatts from Geysers and 10 megawatts from Coso, expanding to 20 megawatts in the 2030s.

PWP is developing a 25-megawatt, four-hour battery storage project at the Glenarm Power Plant site. The utility is also replacing internal distribution lines and installing advanced metering infrastructure.

The strategic plan addresses five key objectives from Resolution 9977. These include carbon-free energy, affordability, reliability, equity and safety considerations.

PWP serves a diverse mix of residential and commercial customers in Pasadena. The utility is municipally owned and operates as a community-first organization.

The consultant will continue developing the final report while collecting feedback from the committee and Technical Advisory Panel. Community engagement remains a critical component of the planning process.

By the meeting date, the consultant will have held 12 Technical Advisory Panel meetings, five Municipal Services Committee updates, three Environmental Advisory Commission updates and one community meeting.

The final OSP will include a comprehensive implementation plan that will help PWP identify priorities, improve operational efficiency and evaluate opportunities to reach carbon-free goals.

The plan emphasizes flexibility and maintaining options to adapt to changing market conditions, emerging technology and customer preferences.