California hydroelectric generation lower amid historic drought conditions, according to EIA report

Most of the western United States, particularly California, is experiencing historic drought conditions, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

As of June 22, 2021, 100 percent of the state of California is experiencing some degree of drought, while 33 percent of the state has been categorized under exceptional drought. Drought conditions include below-normal precipitation and snowpack accumulation, very dry soil, and higher than average temperatures. Mountain snowpack serves as a natural reservoir, providing water throughout the spring and summer as it melts. However, the California snowpack was well below normal this year, with most of it melting quickly because of higher spring temperatures.

The drought has affected California’s water supply levels and hydropower plants. As a result, EIA expects hydroelectric generation in California to be lower in 2021 than in recent years. In the first four months of 2021, hydroelectric generation in California was 37 percent less than in the same four months in 2020 and 71 percent less than during those months in 2019.

According to EIAʻs Short-Term Energy Outlook, hydroelectric generation in California in 2021 is projected to be 19 percent less than last year. This represents a decrease from 16.8 million megawatt hours (MWh) in 2020 to 13.6 million MWh in 2021.

California’s previous drought, which lasted from 2012 to 2016, led to significant declines in hydroelectric generation.