Electricity Consumption was Modest in 2014 While Employment Grew Twice as Fast

California electricity consumption grew by a single percent in 2014, while other economic indicators saw a more significant uptick, according to the most recent data on statewide energy demand.

The findings, published in the California Energy Commission’s most recent Tracking Progress report, demonstrate that Californians are continuing to achieve energy savings while other factors have increased.



In 2014, statewide electricity consumption grew a less than 1 percent from the previous year to 281,916 gigawatt hours. Employment increased more than twice as much, by 2.3 percent, during the same period.

During the first 15 years of the 21st century, job growth outpaced electricity consumption. From 2000 to 2014, employment grew 8.4 percent, while electricity consumption rose by 7.5 percent. California’s gross state product grew by 27 percent during the same period, which is more than three times as fast as electricity growth California’s population increased from about 34 million people in 2000 to 38.8 million in 2014.

The Tracking Progress report highlights information from the revised 10-year forecast for electricity demand. The California Energy Demand 2016-2026, Revised Electricity Forecast predicted energy use going forward would be at a slightly slower rate than previously forecast. The slower growth rate reflects a drop in consumption as well as higher self-generation, particularly from electricity generated by rooftop solar systems.