SACRAMENTO — California’s battery energy storage capacity has reached 21,112 megawatts, making it one of the largest battery fleets in the world while strengthening grid reliability and reducing dependence on natural gas.

When Governor Gavin Newsom took office in 2019, California had less than 700 megawatts of battery storage. Capacity has since increased by more than 2,500% in seven and a half years. The current total is equivalent to roughly one-third of the state’s peak electricity demand.

Nearly 16,000 megawatts come from 310 utility-scale battery systems in California, while approximately 2,000 megawatts come from facilities in Nevada and Arizona. Another 3,000 megawatts are supplied by more than 300,000 smaller systems installed at homes, schools, farms and businesses throughout the state.

Battery systems store excess solar electricity during the day and return it to the grid during evening demand, reducing the need for natural gas generation.

California used more solar power than natural gas during the first half of 2026 for the first time, according to the California Energy Commission. Compared with the same period in 2024, solar use increased 22%, natural gas use fell 51% and grid battery capacity grew 80%.

California has added more than 37,000 megawatts of clean and renewable energy resources since 2019. The state estimates that it will need more than 52,000 megawatts of battery and long-duration storage by 2045 as the electrification of transportation, buildings and industry increases electricity demand. Current capacity represents approximately 41% of that goal.

California aims to obtain 100% of retail electricity sales from clean energy by 2045. As of the end of 2024, clean energy accounted for 67% of the state’s retail electricity sales.