The California Department of Water Resources reported up to 3,079 megawatts of emergency and temporary natural-gas resources and contracts for extreme events in 2026, according to a presentation delivered at the California Energy Commission’s Oct. 19 business meeting.
The presentation was DWR’s 16th update on its Electricity Supply Strategic Reliability Reserve Program, or ESSRRP. The program is one part of California’s broader Strategic Reliability Reserve and is intended to safeguard the statewide grid during extreme or combined events, including heat events, wildfires and drought, while supporting the state’s transition to clean energy.
DWR’s investment table lists 120 megawatts of emergency and temporary natural-gas resources and extreme-event contracts in 2022, 148 megawatts in 2023, up to 3,100 megawatts in 2024, 3,079 megawatts in 2025 and up to 3,079 megawatts in 2026. A footnote says the resources’ default status is “off.” The presentation does not say whether any of the reported capacity has been activated.
The program includes five eligible project categories: extended operation of retiring facilities; emergency and temporary power generators larger than 5 megawatts; zero-emission fuel technology generation; energy storage of at least 20 megawatts; and imported energy and capacity products.
The presentation also says Water Code 80710(e)(2) requires quarterly updates at CEC business meetings, with attendance by the California Public Utilities Commission and the California Independent System Operator. DWR said its next update is expected in the first quarter of 2027.
The aggregate figure does not identify the individual facilities, contract counterparties, costs, locations, emissions requirements or activation history behind the reported capacity.
