November 24, 2025: California has built a third of the energy storage capacity estimated to be required by 2045 to hit the state’s 100% clean electricity goal.

Governor Gavin Newsom said on November 14 BESS capacity has reached 17,000MW since the start of his administration in 2019 and about a 1,200MW increase in storage capacity in the past six months.

Newsom told the UN Climate Change Conference in Brazil California also continues to set clean energy records.

In 2023, the state was powered by two-thirds clean energy, the largest economy in the world to achieve this level, Newsom said, adding that the state had also run on 100% clean electricity for part of the day almost every day this year.

Newsom’s speech came just weeks after he signed legislation to strengthen safety standards for the development of new BESS plants and bolster coordination with fire chiefs.

The legislation, which comes into force next January, followed a two-day fire at Vistra’s 300MW Moss Landing facility at the start of this year.

Battery storage developers will be required to engage with local fire authorities before submitting an application. This consultation must address facility design, assess potential risks, and integrate emergency response plans.

Last June, the California Energy Commission approved fast-track plans for a 1,150MW (4,600MWh) BESS project with solar facilities in Fresno County.

The Darden Clean Energy Project was given the go-ahead under the state’s accelerated permitting program and is set to become the world’s largest such development to date.