SMUD’s journey toward zero carbon emissions is far-reaching and inclusive.
In 2020, the SMUD Board of Directors adopted a Climate Emergency Declaration recognizing the pressing threat of climate change on our region, nation and world. This sparked the development of SMUD’s comprehensive 2030 Zero Carbon Plan, with a goal of eliminating all carbon emissions from our power supply by 2030, the most ambitious carbon-reduction plan of any large utility in the country.
In choosing this path, SMUD recognized that reaching our ambitious goals would only be possible by finding opportunities for every community to join us on this transformative journey.
Embracing proven technologies and new partnership
Key pieces of SMUD’s 2030 Zero Carbon Plan include tripling renewable energy resources, optimizing customer-owned assets such as solar and batteries, reimagining natural gas power plants, implementing cutting-edge technologies like virtual power plants, long-duration energy storage and enabling vehicle-to-grid technology and pursuing emerging technologies such as carbon capture and sequestration. Electrifying buildings and transportation are also a critical part of our plan, recognizing that these are the two largest carbon emitting sectors in California.
SMUD's decades-long commitment to environmental leadership, low rates, world-class reliability and putting our customers and communities first remains our priority as we transition toward a cleaner, healthier and more equitable future.
Renewable sources like solar, wind and geothermal pave the way for 90% of our journey to zero emissions. However, to bridge the remaining gap, innovative solutions like carbon capture and storage are needed. This strategy supports our green energy vision while maintaining the highest standards of reliability and ensuring low costs.
SMUD is making great strides toward its decarbonization goals with significant movement in clean energy initiatives. The Solano 4 wind project, set to be completed this summer, will contribute an additional 85.5 MW of clean energy. SMUD has also secured power purchase agreements for multiple projects, collectively providing hundreds of MW of utility-scale solar power and battery storage.
SMUD has entered a partnership with ESS for the deployment of long-duration energy storage. SMUD is also moving forward with a power purchase agreement with Calpine for a carbon capture and storage project, serving as reliable baseload energy solutions until more permanent solutions become available.
SMUD is actively advancing the County Acres Solar project, our largest solar and storage power generation resource. With contracts secured, established partnerships, and land acquisition completed for this project, we are set to add 344 MW of renewable solar power and 172 MW of storage to our portfolio. The expansive 1,170-acre site incorporates agrivoltaic features, including pollinator habitats and crops.
Electrifying our Region
Electrification is one of the most crucial elements in decarbonizing buildings. Building operations contribute to 31 percent of energy-related carbon emissions. As SMUD works toward our boldly ambitious 2030 Zero Carbon Plan, we recognize the pivotal role that electrification plays in achieving this goal and we support all customers.
In collaboration with the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency, Bright Power and our regional partners, SMUD proudly backed the Sacramento Manor project. As California's most extensive gas-to-electric retrofit for multifamily housing, the 260-unit affordable senior housing complex is now fully electric. It showcases SMUD's commitment to sustainable and innovative solutions in partnership with all communities. The project included comprehensive renovations and electrification upgrades that create both cost savings and opportunities to contribute to carbon reductions.
Approximately 30 small business owners in north Sacramento are exploring no-cost energy efficiency and electrification upgrades, thanks to American Rescue Plan Act funding and SMUD incentives. SMUD's Complete Energy Solutions conducted comprehensive building assessments to identify potential improvements and calculate available SMUD incentives. SMUD also organized cooking demonstrations in Spanish at a local Mexican restaurant, providing restaurant owners with insights into an all-electric kitchen. This initiative allowed owners and chefs to familiarize themselves with all-electric cooking, observe and sample dishes commonly found on Hispanic restaurant menus, addressing potential concerns about transitioning away from gas-powered appliances.
SMUD’s comprehensive approach ensures both residential and commercial customers also benefit from electrification efforts.
These projects are helping set the stage for SMUD to offer similar electrification and business-enhancing initiatives across our service area, including in other historically under-resourced areas in the future.
Expanding Access to Clean Mobility
SMUD has been encouraging and incentivizing electric vehicle adoption for decades, and SMUD recently joined forces with GiddyUp EV and the Sacramento Regional Transit District to open the Power Inn Light Rail Station high-speed electric vehicle charging hub—one of the largest in the state. Last year’s groundbreaking partnership showcases Siemens-manufactured level 3 Direct Current (DC) fast chargers, recognized as the fastest in the industry, and reflects SMUD's commitment to advancing regional electric vehicle adoption through innovative public and private alliances.
SMUD also teamed up with Green Tech, a clean tech education nonprofit, and the Sacramento Metropolitan Air District to develop the Del Paso Mobility Center. Located in a historically under-resourced community, this center serves as a clean ride-sharing hub with EV charging that will increase access to electric vehicles, hydrogen vehicles and related green energy technology. This was a wonderful opportunity to introduce technology and make vehicles available for use.
Today, there are already more than 42,000 EVs in SMUD’s service area, and we expect this number to reach 288,000 by 2030. Getting insights from customers about where they may install chargers is important to help us plan grid and other investments to support the growth. Through our “Contact SMUD first” campaign and our EV Ride & Drive events, SMUD continues to educate customers on the types of chargers, how to reduce charging costs and advise them on SMUD’s rebates, incentives and EV discount rate.
In 2024, SMUD is working to install DC fast chargers at the Sacramento International Airport, Amtrak and at the California State University, Sacramento campus through a $2.9 million California Energy Commission grant. SMUD is also planning to install 108 EV chargers in up to 11 underserved multi-family homes throughout Sacramento County with funding from a $3.7 million California Energy Commission grant.
Full circle on Electrification
Last year, SMUD, in partnership with Northern California Construction Training, launched an electrical workforce training program with a strong focus on inclusive workforce development. The program focuses on fundamental electrical technician skills and specific knowledge related to electrification and EV supply equipment. This six-week course provides a second chance for students, opening doors to new job opportunities in clean energy.
Expanding on our successful history in energy efficiency, weatherization and electrification initiatives, SMUD is working in the Meadowview area—an under-resourced community in the Sacramento region. In a unique approach, students from Meadowview will participate in the program as workers on the Neighborhood Electrification Project. This project aims to deliver clean energy technology to 300 single-family homes, directly involving community members in enhancing their neighborhood with sustainable solutions.
Pledge of Long-Term Impact
SMUD's Community Impact Plan is helping guide our work so every customer and community reaps the benefits of tomorrow’s clean energy future. We know that climate change disproportionately impacts under-resourced communities, so our plan places a significant emphasis on inclusive economic development. SMUD is working across the region to attract new businesses and services, create jobs and provide more equitable workforce development outcomes during our clean energy transition.
The plan is built on substantial input and feedback from our customers, local nonprofits, service providers and other community leaders. In a series of listening sessions, SMUD gained valuable insights into the barriers and challenges faced by our under-resourced customers. This collective understanding has played a crucial role in creating strategic plans that ensure active participation among all communities in our transformative journey.
Rosanna Herber was recently elected as President of SMUD’s Board of Directors. She was first elected to the SMUD Board of Directors in 2018.
The new turbines at SMUD’s Solano Wind Farm, totaling 85.5 MW, will generate approximately 900 gigawatt-hours per year. This marks a 39% increase in the Solano wind project site's annual energy generation. Once completed, the replacement wind turbines in Phase 4 alone will generate enough clean energy to power 40,000 homes.
Last summer, SMUD, Bright Power, the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency and regional leaders celebrated the completion of California's largest gas-to-electric retrofit project at Sacramento Manor, a 260-unit affordable senior housing complex in south Sacramento.
In June 2023, SMUD, Sacramento Regional Transit and GiddyUp EV Charging, Inc., unveiled a high-speed electric vehicle charging hub at the Power Inn light rail station in south Sacramento. This public-private partnership provides a cutting-edge charging solution for area's growing electric vehicle market, aligning with sustainability goals and offering a revenue-sharing model for SacRT.
SMUD focuses on targeted education and outreach in under-resourced communities as part of its Community Impact Strategy. In the Gardenland neighborhood, SMUD engages with residents and businesses to offer a deeper level of support, outreach and education as communities take steps to make the switch from gas to electric.