California Energy Commission Releases New Data on How COVID-19 is Impacting the Energy Sector
May 14, 2020 | back to news
The California Energy Commission (CEC) today released new data providing a snapshot of trends in the energy sector, including impacts to energy supply and demand, since California's stay-at-home order took effect March 19.
Key highlights from the Energy Insights report include:
- Electricity Sector
- Average weekday demand for electricity in California declined by more than 4 percent in late March, and 9 percent in April compared to the same time last year.
- Residential energy use by customers in the three investor-owned utilities increased by 8.9 to 12.4 percent for 2020 year-to-date compared to the same time period last year, but this was offset by substantial reductions in commercial and industrial demand.
- Demand has dropped the most during midday hours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., compared to 2019, resulting in a steeper evening ramp.
- Natural Gas Sector
- Natural gas demand during April 2020 was up about 6 percent, compared to April 2019.
- In the Pacific Gas and Electric service territory, natural gas demand for electricity generation was up about 12 percent for April 2020 compared to April 2019.
- Transportation Fuels Sector
- California transportation fuel production saw the following declines for the week ending May 1 compared to week ending March 20:
- Gasoline production declined 47.5 percent;
- Jet fuel production dropped 68.3 percent; and
- Diesel production decreased 33.2 percent.
- California transportation fuel production saw the following declines for the week ending May 1 compared to week ending March 20:
For more information on the state's response to COVID-19, visit https://covid19.ca.gov.
Source: California Energy Commission