Multi-Agency team releases 2030 Regional Energy Infrastructure Study

Study indicates critical energy challenges remain for the San Diego region

provided by San Diego Regional Energy Office

an Diego's electric woes may not be over, according to a report authored by a national consulting firm. A consortium of local agencies has announced the release of the draft of the San Diego Regional Energy Infrastructure Study. The study can be accessed and downloaded from the San Diego Regional Energy Office web site at www.sdenergy.org/planning/reis.html. The Study is being released for a 30-day comment and technical review period.

    The Regional Energy Infrastructure Study provides an integrated, comprehensive analysis of the electricity and natural gas supply/demand inventory and critical energy issues for the region. Key findings indicate that:

  • lectricity demand is estimated to nearly double by the year 2030.
  • It will become increasingly difficult to meet this growing electricity demand with traditional grid-based generation and transmission infrastructure.
  • A significant portion of the new load growth can be met with energy efficiency, smaller-scale generation and renewables
  • A minimum of two 500-MW base generating plants are still needed – more if the region does not pursue alternative energy sources
  • Additional transmission is also needed.
  • Sufficient local natural gas distribution system capacity exists for core customers, but market issues continue to exist and could worsen for natural gas capacity and supply.
  • There is a growing long-term concern for overreliance on natural gas as a fuel source.

    The findings from this study will form the basis for recommendations of cost-effective strategies to achieve the goal of a reliable and affordable energy future for the San Diego region.

    The study was completed in response to the recent energy crisis. A multi-agency team consisting of the City of San Diego, the County of San Diego, the San Diego County Water Authority, the San Diego Association of Governments, the San Diego Regional Energy Office, the Utility Consumers Action Network and the Port of San Diego joined forces to commission the study, performed by San Diego-based Science Applications International Corporation.

    “The agencies that formed the Project Team agreed that the region needed to take a more cooperative, coordinated and proactive role in determining our energy future,” said Irene Stillings, SDREO Executive Director. “Understanding how much energy we will need in the next 30 years is the first step in planning a rational strategy for meeting those needs.” The study is intended to provide the basis for individual participating agencies to plan their respective energy strategies as well as being the foundation upon which the region will develop its Regional Energy Strategy.

    The Regional Energy Planning Advisory Council ( www.sdenergy.org/planning/repac.html), a 13-member panel of regional energy stakeholders, serves to provide regional oversight for the development and implementation of the Regional Energy Strategy and to formulate energy policy recommendations to the San Diego Association of Governments.

    The study will be the subject of discussion at the next regular meeting of REPAC scheduled for Wednesday, October 9, 2002. Parties wishing to submit comments on the Study may email them to sdreosdenergy.org or fax to (858) 244-1178. The comment period closes on Monday, November 4, 2002. To receive an agenda for the REPAC meeting, or if you are unable to download the study and require a printed copy, please email a request to sdreosdenergy.org or call (858) 244-1177.