LOS ANGELES: California: California’s prolonged drought could lead to a dip in hydropower generation to 8 percent, compared with the normal 15 percent, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said.
The EIA expects this to lead to an 8 percent increase in electricity generation from natural gas, an increase in energy-related carbon dioxide emissions by 6 percent, and a roughly 5 percent increase in wholesale electricity prices throughout the western United States, it said in a press release.
Earlier this month, California energy officials predicted that the state’s electrical grid lacks sufficient capacity to keep the lights on this summer and beyond if heatwaves, wildfires or other extreme events occur.
Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom warned this week that he would order strict cutbacks on water usage statewide if businesses and residents did not restrict their own consumption.
The EIA predictions follow the analysis of six of California’s hydropower facilities, representing 22 percent of the state’s hydropower capacity.
