California renewables offset natural gas consumption in summer electricity mix

California power consumption relied more heavily on renewables and less on natural gas consumption this summer compared to last year’s figures, new data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) revealed on Tuesday.

The EIA’s assessment revealed that thermal power consumption in June, July and August of this year was higher than consumption last year by two percent due to warmer weather. Thermal generation decreased by 20 percent, while renewable consumption increased compared to last year’s figures.

Hydroelectric generation increased in California this year due to improved drought situation. The U.S. Drought Monitor found in July that 59 percent of California regions experienced drought, compared to 95 percent last July. Improved water conditions directly improved hydroelectric generation in the state, the EIA report revealed.

The report also revealed that the generation mix in California has also changed. Generation from non-hydro renewables, solar and wind represented 26 percent of total capacity in June, while utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity increased the most between June 2015 and June 2016. PV capacity increased by 1.4 gigawatts, or 27 percent compared to last year’s figures.

The EIA report said that increased renewable capacity decreased the need for extensive thermal generation. Figures were taken from data published by the California Independent System Operator.