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Electricity In California

  • Population39,512,223
  • Total Consumption244,955,840 MWh / 6.2 MWh per capita
  • CO2 Equivalent Emissions71,621,386,802 kg
  • Total Production192,985,887 MWh / 4.88 MWh per capita
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Residential Electricity Bills & Rates in California

California residential electric rates are highest in January and the highest average bill is in July.

Historical Electric Rates:

Price Per kWHAverage Bill$0.234/kWh$0.141/kWh$175.16/mo.$58.91/mo.
47th21.33¢Average residential price per kWh in the state of California
35th$122.47Average residential monthly electricity bill for California Residents

Energy Profile of California

MonthlyWe report production data as it is published. Due to reporting methods and timing, data from 2021 and 2020 may be incomplete. Data is released in full each fall for the previous calendar year. For clarification on any data points, please contact our team.
AnnualAnnual data for 2020 will be finalized in the fall of 2021. Until that time, some data may be incomplete. Data for 2021 is a summation of all information released to date, which may only represent a portion of the actual production that has occurred. For clarification on any data points, please contact our team.

California's Electricity Prices and Usage

Consumers in California are faced with a higher residential electricity rate than many people in the nation, with an average state electric rate of 21.33 cents per kilowatt hour compared to the US average price of 13.33 cents. This ranks California as the 47th lowest priced state in the country by average electricity rate. With 48 electricity companies in the state, customers have many choices to choose from thanks to the deregulated electricity market that exists in the state. Previously, roughly 13,509,837.55 megawatt hours were generated in the state from wind a year. However, now that total is 14,437,241.02 megawatt hours, a 6.86% increase. The state released 71,621,386,801.76 kilograms of CO2 emissions from electricity consumption, causing it to be the 5th worst polluting state in the United States when considering total CO2 emissions. California ranks as the 50th highest state in the nation for electricity use per person, with an average of 6.2 megawatt hours used each year per citizen. Edison International has 3,848,013 residential customers, which is more than all other vendors in the state .

Residential Electricity Providers in California

ProviderArrow UpArrow pointing upwards.Residential Rate (¢)Arrow UpArrow pointing upwards.Residential Average Bill ($)Arrow UpArrow pointing upwards.Residential Sales (MWh)Arrow DownBlue arrow pointing down.Residential Revenues ($)Arrow UpArrow pointing upwards.State Production (MWh)Arrow UpArrow pointing upwards.State Emissions (KG)Arrow UpArrow pointing upwards.
Edison International19.38117.1524,378,0774,724,422,0008,709,409.8244,216,401,097.22
Pacific Gas and Electric Company24.67145.8914,691,4553,623,782,00025,493,01214,934,455,278.9
Los Angeles Department of Water & Power20.79109.598,574,7081,782,417,8636,599,84411,616,442,137.41
San Diego Gas and Electric26.71109.396,431,2011,717,700,4251,903,719.847,552,064,757.94
Sacramento Municipal Utility District15.56112.064,915,537764,743,1686,254,985.775,748,954,897.37
Imperial Irrigation District12.68150.361,940,909246,095,0001,153,5201,978,054,967.34
Modesto Irrigation District17.97149.891,008,832181,292,154545,930.941,447,242,727.43
Turlock Irrigation District15.91142.38841,359133,891,0001,631,220.061,400,507,171.49
Riverside Public Utilities16.2795.69693,741112,860,000110,5141,133,849,598.92
Anaheim Public Utilities16.9880.7584,77099,321,00025,4651,175,281,637.29
48 providers total

Power Plants in California

PlantArrow UpArrow pointing upwards.City/CountyArrow UpArrow pointing upwards.Primary Fuel TypeArrow UpArrow pointing upwards.Production (MWh)Arrow DownBlue arrow pointing down.Emission (KG)Arrow UpArrow pointing upwards.Emissions/MWh (KG/MWh)Arrow UpArrow pointing upwards.Toxic Chemical ReleaseArrow UpArrow pointing upwards.Closing DateArrow UpArrow pointing upwards.
Diablo CanyonPacific Gas and Electric Company (100.00%)
San Luis Obispo County Nuclear 13,708,554203,172,332.2514.82No DataIcon representing missing value.8/2025
Dynegy Moss Landing Power Plant HybridDynegy Energy Services (100.00%)
Monterey County Natural Gas 5,062,5671,882,153,658.56371.78No DataIcon representing missing value.No DataIcon representing missing value.
Geysers Unit 5-20Calpine (100.00%)
Sonoma County Geothermal 4,638,947315,393,895.267.99No DataIcon representing missing value.No DataIcon representing missing value.
Pastoria Energy Facility, LLCCalpine (100.00%)
Kern County Natural Gas 4,514,2661,693,919,700.48375.24No DataIcon representing missing value.No DataIcon representing missing value.
Delta Energy CenterCalpine (100.00%)
Pittsburg Natural Gas 3,892,4141,524,785,166.94391.73No DataIcon representing missing value.No DataIcon representing missing value.
CosumnesSacramento Municipal Utility District (100.00%)
Clay CDP Natural Gas 3,886,414.021,379,242,033.15354.89No DataIcon representing missing value.No DataIcon representing missing value.
Elk Hills Power LLCCalifornia Resources Elk Hills LLC (69.32%)Elk Hills Power LLC (30.68%)
Kern County Natural Gas 3,809,8381,343,769,703.5352.71No DataIcon representing missing value.No DataIcon representing missing value.
High Desert Power PlantMRP Generation Holdings, LLC (100.00%)
Victorville Natural Gas 3,260,3081,304,154,842.2400.01No DataIcon representing missing value.No DataIcon representing missing value.
Los Medanos Energy CenterCalpine (100.00%)
Pittsburg Natural Gas 3,136,0771,110,651,813.88354.15No DataIcon representing missing value.No DataIcon representing missing value.
Gateway Generating StationPacific Gas and Electric Company (100.00%)
Contra Costa County Natural Gas 3,116,6841,203,157,095.42386.04No DataIcon representing missing value.No DataIcon representing missing value.
1285 power plants total

Quick Facts

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California generates 57.44% of its electricity from non-renewable fuels, giving it a ranking of 7th worst for total electricity generation from non-renewable fuel types.

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In the state of California, the usage of renewable fuels for electricity production has fallen by 8.30% over the course of the past 12 months.

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With a 0.11% decline over the past 12 months, California’s population is estimated to be 39,512,223.

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With 32,644,696.49 megawatt hours produced from solar power and 39,512,223 citizens in California, the state averages 0.83 megawatt hours produced from solar per capita, which gives it a ranking of 6th in the United States.

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California uses 26.93% more megawatt hours than it generates.

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While a majority of states try to decrease the burning of non-renewable fuel types, California’s burning of these fuels for electricity purposes has actually risen by 4.73% within the previous 12 months.

CountyArrow UpArrow pointing upwards.PopulationArrow UpArrow pointing upwards.ProvidersArrow UpArrow pointing upwards.PlantsArrow UpArrow pointing upwards.Residential Rate (¢)Arrow UpArrow pointing upwards.Residential Avg. Electric BillArrow UpArrow pointing upwards.
Alameda County1,671,32942024.60$144.78/mo
Alpine County1,1297No DataIcon representing missing value.18.57$107.16/mo
Amador County39,7522324.67$145.89/mo
Butte County219,18631524.67$145.89/mo
Calaveras County45,9053324.67$145.89/mo
Colusa County21,5473224.67$145.89/mo
Contra Costa County1,153,52632724.67$145.89/mo
Del Norte County27,8123No DataIcon representing missing value.11.85$105.17/mo
El Dorado County192,84371323.35$137.55/mo
Fresno County999,10156323.94$141.93/mo
Glenn County28,3933224.67$145.89/mo
Humboldt County135,5582324.67$145.89/mo
Imperial County181,21535612.81$149.70/mo
Inyo County18,03931519.59$115.69/mo
Kern County900,202316721.73$129.94/mo
Kings County152,94032324.27$143.73/mo
Lake County64,3862324.67$145.89/mo
Lassen County30,5736616.32$112.91/mo
Los Angeles County10,039,107317719.37$115.48/mo
Madera County157,32731224.67$145.89/mo
Marin County258,8262424.67$145.89/mo
Mariposa County17,2032224.67$145.89/mo
Mendocino County86,7492224.67$145.89/mo
Merced County277,68051523.25$139.65/mo
Modoc County8,8415No DataIcon representing missing value.11.05$104.28/mo
Mono County14,4447819.01$115.02/mo
Monterey County434,06121724.67$145.89/mo
Napa County137,7442524.67$145.89/mo
Nevada County99,75581022.87$134.44/mo
Orange County3,175,69243220.44$113.56/mo
Placer County398,32991822.52$132.66/mo
Plumas County18,8073822.70$142.07/mo
Riverside County2,470,54657917.51$129.61/mo
Sacramento County1,552,05844716.21$114.46/mo
San Benito County62,8082324.67$145.89/mo
San Bernardino County2,180,085411613.26$90.08/mo
San Diego County3,338,33036625.76$112.16/mo
San Francisco County881,5492624.67$145.89/mo
San Joaquin County762,14841724.67$145.89/mo
San Luis Obispo County283,1112924.67$145.89/mo
San Mateo County766,5732324.67$145.89/mo
Santa Barbara County446,4993523.47$139.40/mo
Santa Clara County1,927,85255324.34$143.44/mo
Santa Cruz County273,2132224.67$145.89/mo
Shasta County180,08073622.33$138.63/mo
Sierra County3,0058219.84$119.30/mo
Siskiyou County43,5394611.85$105.17/mo
Solano County447,64332724.67$145.89/mo
Sonoma County494,33621324.67$145.89/mo
Stanislaus County550,66061719.19$144.94/mo
Sutter County96,9713724.67$145.89/mo
Tehama County65,0843524.67$145.89/mo
Trinity County12,285259.38$83.37/mo
Tulare County466,19533420.22$121.72/mo
Tuolumne County54,47841724.12$142.95/mo
Ventura County846,00611119.38$117.15/mo
Yolo County220,5003924.67$145.89/mo
Yuba County78,6683224.67$145.89/mo

Power Plant Fuel Types, Emissions & Pollution Factors

Coming in as the 5th worst ranked state in the nation, California emits 71,621,386,801.76 kilograms of CO2 emissions from electricity consumption. The state averages 1,812.64 kilograms of CO2 emissions per capita, which is a better measurement of the state’s emission levels. They rank 49th highest in the nation for emissions per resident. Around 49.03% of the state of California’s electricity is generated using Natural Gas. Solar and Conventional Hydroelectric make up the next highest totals for a fuel type at 16.92% and 9.30%, respectively. California has the 1st highest amount of electricity producing plants of any state in the US, with 1285 total plants. This equates to the 21st most power plants per resident in the nation.

NATURAL GAS
Natural Gas
Natural Gas
Natural Gas
Natural Gas
Natural Gas
49.03%
SOLAR Renewable, RefreshableIcon representing renewability.
Solar
Solar
16.92%
CONVENTIONAL HYDROELECTRIC Renewable, RefreshableIcon representing renewability.
Conventional Hydroelectric
9.30%
WIND Renewable, RefreshableIcon representing renewability.
Wind
7.48%
NUCLEAR
Nuclear
7.10%
OTHER
Other
Other
10.19%

California Net Metering

California has 42 out of 48 electricity providers reporting that they offer net metering to residents with personal solar panels. At the state level, California has highly favorable laws for consumers interested in investing in personal solar.

Energy Loss

There are 40 providers in California that reported energy loss, including Edison International, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and San Diego Gas and Electric. Combined, these 40 providers average an annual energy loss of 8.45% of electricity generated. The US average is 2.72%, resulting in California having a rank of 2nd worst in the US for energy loss efficiency.

Solar Taxes And Rebates

Motivating private citizens to consider installing solar panels can definitely be a challenge due to prohibitive initial costs. Governments can help the cause by passing legislation for tax breaks and rebates for those who purchase solar panels. California currently does not offer a state tax credit for solar panel installation at a private residence. While there are no state sponsored rebates there are local rebates available to many consumers who wish to install solar panels at their home. Fortunately, California offers a 100% tax exemption to consumers. at their residence. Homeowners in the state do not have access to a sales tax exemption when installing solar panels.

State Level Initiatives

Consumers seeking electricity plans that use renewable fuels will benefit from statewide legislation that encourage green energy usage. States that have Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) have requirements in place for all electric providers who sell electricity in the state. These standards require that a percentage of electricity must be generated from renewable energy. Electricity suppliers in the state of California are required to produce at least 25% of their output using renewable fuel sources. In addition, low income solar programs are another way states encourage renewable fuels and the state of California is home to one such program.

FAQ: Common Questions About Energy in California

Where does California get its electricity?

The main fuels used for electricity generation in California are Natural Gas, Solar and Conventional Hydroelectric, accounting for 49.03%, 16.92% and 9.30% respectively.

What power companies are in California?

State Customers RankArrow UpArrow pointing upwards.ProviderArrow UpArrow pointing upwards.State CustomersArrow DownBlue arrow pointing down.
1Edison International3,848,013
2Pacific Gas and Electric Company2,399,643
3San Diego Gas and Electric1,461,083
4Los Angeles Department of Water & Power1,453,344
5Sacramento Municipal Utility District640,510
6Imperial Irrigation District158,477
7Modesto Irrigation District130,398
8Anaheim Public Utilities120,279
9Riverside Public Utilities110,439
10Turlock Irrigation District100,767

Which electricity company is the largest supplier in California?

The largest electricity supplier in California by megawatt hours sold is Edison International.

How many electric companies offer service in California?

There are 48 electricity companies serving consumers in California.

What is a good electricity rate in California?

The average electric rate in California is 21.33 cents per kilowatt hour, so anything below this amount is better than most. The lowest priced provider is currently Colorado River Indian Irr Proj, at 7.53 cents per kilowatt hour.

What is the average electric bill in California?

The California average electricity bill is $122 so far in 2021, while the US average is $120.

Does California have a deregulated electricity market?

California has a deregulated electricity market, meaning citizens in the state can often choose from an abundance of electricity providers for their electricity needs.

What is the cheapest electricity company in California?

Residential Rate RankArrow UpArrow pointing upwards.ProviderArrow UpArrow pointing upwards.Residential Rate (¢)Arrow UpArrow pointing upwards.State CustomersArrow UpArrow pointing upwards.
1Colorado River Indian Irr Proj7.531,947
2Aha Macav Power Service9.10120
3Trinity PUD9.387,256
4City of Industry Electricity9.59109
5Surprise Valley Electric10.104,416
6Needles Electric Company10.932,850
7City of Vernon Utilities11.751,918
8PacifiCorp11.8545,707
9Imperial Irrigation District12.68158,477
10Santa Clara Utilities13.1456,769

How many power plants are located within California?

There are 1285 power plants in California

Last Reviewed By: Nick Reese
Published: 2021-03-16Last Updated: 2021-10-14