State Sets Aside $18M for San Vicente Project to Help Meet Peak Energy Demand
The San Vicente Energy Storage Facility received $18 million from the state budget signed this week by Gov. Gavin Newsom, the local water authority announced Friday.
The money is enough to advance a large-scale renewable energy project through initial design, environmental reviews and the federal licensing process.
The project is an effort by the city of San Diego and the San Diego County Water Authority.
According to water officials, the San Vicente project “is one of the most promising pumped energy storage solutions in California and it would be a major asset to help avoid rolling blackouts through on-demand energy production while helping to meet state climate goals.”
Proponents say the project could steady ratepayer costs across the San Diego region by generating additional revenue to help offset the cost of water purchases, storage and treatment.
When completed, the San Vicente energy project would provide up to 500 megawatts of long-duration stored energy to meet peak electrical demand periods throughout Southern California.
