This State Is Within Arm’s Reach of All-Renewable Electricity

The electricity demand in California, United States was just shy of being powered 100% by renewable sources for the first time, proving that all-clean generated electricity is possible in the Golden State.

“California has shown that, for one brief and shining moment, we could do it! It’s time to move to 100% clean energy, 100% of the time,” says Laura Deehan, executive director for the nonprofit Environment California.

On a bright and sunny Saturday, the energy demand across the state hit 18,672 MW at 2:45 p.m., and at 2:50, 99.87% of the load came from renewables. The previous record was 97.58%. Two-thirds – 12,391 MW – of the 18,000 MW needed came from solar power loaded into the energy grid. Wind, geothermal, and other clean sources made up the last third. For more than 20 years, environmentalist organizations have been pushing for more measures leading to a California entirely powered by renewables, like installing one million solar rooftops across the state – a feat that has already been achieved.