PG&E awarded US$34.5 million from DOE for 19 hydropower projects

The grant awards are part of the DOE's Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentive programme, and will fund work that provides grid resiliency, improves dam safety, and reduces environmental impacts associated with ongoing operations.

“Hydroelectric power is one of the most reliable, affordable, and efficient forms of carbon-free electricity in our portfolio,” said Dave Gabbard, Vice President, Power Generation. “The federal funds will directly benefit PG&E customers by way of performance and capacity enhancements to hydroelectric projects that will continue to provide reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective renewable energy for decades to come.”

PG&E operates and maintains the second largest privately owned hydroelectric system in the US, generating roughly 3867 MW of power via 61 conventional hydro powerhouses, a pumped storage facility, 98 reservoirs, 168 dams, and more than 400 miles of canals, flumes, tunnels, penstocks, siphons, and natural waterways. The grants enable PG&E to cost effectively make critical system improvements for safety and reliability.

The utility's hydro projects that will benefit from the federal incentive programme are primarily located in Mendocino, Nevada, Plumas, Fresno, Tuolumne, Butte, Amador, Calaveras, and Shasta counties. Major projects are planned for Potter Valley, Lake Fordyce, Lower Bucks Spillway, Lower Blue Lake, Rock Creek and Cresta Cofferdam, Lake Almanor Dam, Courtright Dam, Strawberry Dam, DeSabla, Tiger Creek, Salt Springs, Iron Canyon, Pit 7 Dam, Poe Dam, and Pit 1.

“These funds will enable us to continue advancing hydroelectricity and environmental sustainability in a cost-effective manner and will further propel us toward a future where clean energy is accessible and dependable for all," added Gabbard.

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