California should have plenty of power this summer

California should have more than enough electricity this summer to keep the lights on and the air conditioners humming, state officials said this week.

In its annual summer forecast, the California Energy Commission said the state should have 22 percent more power on tap than it would need for a typical summer.

Even in an unusually hot summer, the state wouldn't run out of juice. California would still have 14 percent more electricity than needed, according to the forecast. State energy regulators try to maintain a cushion of 15 to 17 percent.

Electricity supplies should be ample despite a dry spring that will lower the amount of energy generated by hydroelectric dams in the Sierra.

But don't consider the rosy forecast an excuse to waste power, California officials say. They are relying on energy conservation and efficiency to cut the number of new power plants needed in the state, and they don't want people to stop saving now.

"While California is in a good position this summer, even with lower hydro electricity available, we urge consumers to continue conserving electricity on hot afternoons," said Melissa Jones, the energy commission's executive director. "Energy efficiency measures will help consumers reduce their electricity use during peak hours and save money."

California officials have kept a watchful eye on summer power supplies ever since the state's electricity crisis of 2000 and 2001, when a combination of high energy demand, congested power lines and market manipulation by energy companies caused blackouts across the state.

Since then, California has added 38 power plants, according to the commission. Although some older plants have been decommissioned, enough electricity has been added to the state's grid since 2001 to power 5.2 million homes. This summer, the state also will be able to import more electricity than usual from hydroelectric dams in the Pacific Northwest, which experienced a wet winter and spring.

Northern California faces less than a 1.5 percent chance of rotating blackouts this summer, according to the forecast. Southern California has a higher possibility of blackouts -- about 3.8 percent.

(E-mail David R. Baker at dbaker(at)sfchronicle.com)

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)