The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has established a centralized procurement strategy aimed at boosting the state’s clean energy resources. 

Under this new framework, which implements Assembly Bill 1373, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), through its Statewide Energy Office, will be asked to spearhead the procurement of certain long lead-time clean energy resources. 

By having one state agency procure these resources on behalf of ratepayers, California hopes to streamline the acquisition of advanced energy resources.

The CPUC intends to request that DWR procure 7.6 GW of nameplate capacity from offshore wind, among other energy resource acquisitions. The decision further recommends that DWR conduct a series of solicitations and evaluate bids based on quality, cost and risk, with review by the CPUC. 

The CPUC plans to review central procurement needs through its Integrated Resource Planning process, considering additional technologies as necessary.

“With this new tool, California has the opportunity to jumpstart clean energy technologies and bring them to scale,” says CPUC president Alice Reynolds. 

“It reflects our unwavering commitment to a clean, diverse, reliable energy resource portfolio, matching the needs of all Californians now and into the future.”