California achieved 95% Renewable Energy in April

In 2018, Collin gave us an insight on the Renewables sector in California. Three years on, he provides us with a further update as Renewable Energy is pushing 100% in the state.

Since the previous energy update, much has changed (for the better) in California. The State has come a long way in terms of its renewable allocation. It was recently reported in the Los Angeles Times that California reached a milestone of 95% renewable energy for a sustainable period at the end of April 2021! The days of renewables being considered an afterthought that tinker at the margins no longer exist. A push to 100% renewable energy is becoming more and more realistic and should be recognized as a foregone conclusion.

What does the future hold for the Renewables sector in California?

It’s important to point out from when I last wrote about this topic that California’s current goal set in 2018 by former Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown, was to achieve 100% renewable energy across the state by 2045. Now, covering 100% of California’s energy needs around the clock all year long has become even more of a priority. The inception of this initiative began with former Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was the first governor in the country to implement a carbon cap and trade program with AB 32 (Global Warming Solutions Act) back in 2006. He implemented the Million Solar Roof program that same year, a declining solar rebate program that incentivized customers and utilities to implement solar which rocket-launched the industry. Ever since, California's renewable standard has aggressively pushed forward, creating wins for the industry, the rate payers, and the state’s people as well.

Various state mandated laws have been put into effect, which will only accelerate this process.  Gov. Gavin Newsom recently ordered an end to the sale of gasoline-fueled cars by 2035. Dozens of cities are trying to phase out gas heating and cooking in new buildings. 

Other state lawmakers such as Assemblyman David Chiu (D-San Francisco), recently unveiled legislation that would require state officials to develop a plan for getting at least 3,000 megawatts of offshore wind built by 2030, and 10,000 megawatts by 2040. The bill is co-sponsored by the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California — a labor group that has opposed efforts to restrict oil and gas production, but which sees offshore wind as a source of high-paying jobs.

The Renewables sector around the world

This is what’s happening, not only in California, but around the world.  Across the globe, 80% of all new electricity capacity that came online in 2020 was renewable, over 90% of which was solar and wind.  In the US in 2021, the Energy Information Administration predicts 70% of all new electricity capacity will be solar and wind alone.

These are significant signs indicating that clean energy is upon us and established enough now to take over the grid in California and beyond. The unique, changing market creates a lot of staffing opportunities for engineers looking to make their mark in the Renewables sector. As the sunshine state takes great strides towards a greener future, the need for innovate engineers to find the solution to tomorrow’s energy problems will arise – as well as skilled ones to help build the solar and wind farms that are springing up around California.

At TRS Staffing Solutions, we are passionate about connecting great engineers with great opportunities, worldwide. Take your first step with us today: browse our opportunities in renewable energy today.