California Achieves Historic Clean Energy Milestone Amid Federal Rollbacks
In 2025, California reached a historic milestone by providing 100% of its power from clean energy sources for at least part of nearly every day on its main grid. Governor Gavin Newsom highlighted this achievement at COP30 in Belém, framing California as a global climate leader in contrast to federal retreat under the Trump administration.
Newsom reported that the state ran on 67% clean energy on nine out of ten days in 2025 and noted that California possesses as much battery storage capacity as any jurisdiction outside China. The state's ambitious goals include achieving 60% renewable or zero-carbon electricity by 2030 and reaching 100% by 2045, with a phased elimination of coal-fired power.
Since 2019, California has added approximately 30,800 megawatts of clean energy and storage. Although natural gas remained the largest single source in 2024, its share declined while renewables increased. Battery storage capacity has expanded dramatically from 771 megawatts in 2019 to nearly 17,000 megawatts by October 2025, allowing solar energy to be stored and used during evening peak demand.
The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) uses this battery storage to balance renewable energy intermittency. However, natural gas plants remain a critical backup, with about 200 plants providing roughly one-third of the state's electricity. While batteries and renewables have reduced reliance on natural gas, they have not eliminated it. Nuclear power accounted for nearly 10% of California's electricity generation in 2024; despite controversy, some view nuclear as an important tool for ensuring grid reliability.
Under the Trump administration, federal policies cut offshore wind funding, blocked California's 2030 gas-car ban, and rolled back solar and low-income energy programs. In response, California has filed lawsuits and established an Attorney General office specifically to oppose these federal rollbacks.
