Beyond the initial wave of 8,000 MW that has come on line since 1999, There are about 10,000 MW looking for an opportunity to build out, says Jan Smutny-Jones, executive director of the Independent Power Producers Association, Sacramento. Although much of that construction has been deferred [or delayed] I think theres some real opportunity to tap into that demand, he says.
Unless California finds a way to get some of that capacity built and on line, state and industry officials warn that the state could soon face more rolling blackouts and shortages. Retirement of aging plants is expected to remove over 2,300 MW by the end of 2005, says the California Independent System Operator, the non-profit public corporation that manages the states grid. Another 4,900 MW may be removed by owners because the plants require air-quality retrofits or are no longer economically viable. The ISO currently assumes a base capacity of 48,787 MW.