Powering Catalina’s Future

Southern California Edison proudly serves Catalina Island, providing reliable electricity to its 4,100 residents, local businesses, and more than a million visitors each year. For decades, power has come from diesel generators—but now we’re taking bold steps toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Working with air quality regulators, we’ve begun upgrading our generating units to modern, low-emission technology and switched to renewable diesel fuel, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 98%. These improvements mean cleaner air for the island and continued reliable service.

Looking ahead, we’re exploring additional solutions like solar energy, battery storage, and cleaner fuels to further reduce emissions and support Catalina’s unique environment. While our recent request for renewable energy proposals didn’t yield a viable solution, it provided valuable insights that will guide future efforts.

Our commitment is clear: a cleaner, more resilient energy system for Catalina Island.

Learn more about our Compliance and Technical Details   

 
SCE, working in partnership with South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), is committed to reducing emissions and establishing cleaner power generation on Catalina. Our first step is replacing three (3) of the six (6) older diesel generators with newer Tier 4 compliant units. This upgrade will significantly cut emissions, including reductions to nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions to comply with newly established SCAQMD Rule 1135 facility-wide limits of 45 tons per year (TPY) by 2027 and 30 TPY per year by 2028— while also complying with stringent particulate matter (PM) limits under SCAQMD Rule 1470 and EPA requirements. In 2024, SCE transitioned from conventional diesel to renewable diesel, achieving a 98% reduction in anthropogenic Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from the generators.

Looking ahead, we are exploring even more sustainable solutions, including propane-powered generators and solar energy. In 2022, SCE launched the Catalina All-Source request for offers (RFO). This RFO sought third-party bids for eligible renewable resources, standalone and paired energy storage, and demand response solutions, among other preferred resources. SCE actively negotiated lease terms to promote interest and over 2,000 bidders were contacted. While over twenty attended the in-person bidders conference, only a small number of bidders submitted offers. Although none of the bids met the RFP requirements, the process provided valuable insights that will guide future efforts.

SCAQMD Amended Rule 1135

In October 2024, air quality regulators updated emission standards for Catalina Island’s power plant to further reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. These new limits set clear targets and timelines to help protect air quality and the island’s environment.

Next Steps Toward a Cleaner Energy Future for Catalina Island

Southern California Edison (SCE) is continuing its efforts to modernize and decarbonize power generation on Catalina Island. In the 2025 Catalina Gas General Rate Case, the California Public Utility Commission approved an Electrification Pilot program to study how we can retire the island’s gas distribution system and free up propane for power generation. This pilot is a key step toward shaping long-term strategies that deliver sustainable, affordable energy solutions for our customers.

In this next phase we will continue evaluating propane-based technologies through ongoing feasibility and grid stability studies. These studies will help determine the viability of propane as a cleaner alternative for reliable power generation.

In parallel, SCE continues to explore opportunities to collaborate with third-party stakeholders to develop solar energy projects on the island, further supporting the transition to renewable energy.
 

Santa Catalina Island Repower Feasibility Study

To provide a quantitative analysis of approaches to repower the island, SCE commissioned the “Santa Catalina Island Repower Feasibility Study,” a detailed technical and economic analysis, from the consulting group NV5 in partnership with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The analysis uses a techno-economic model to assess the leading repower options (fossil fuel generation, renewable energy, and undersea cable) and provide actionable information, including cost, schedule, benefits, and challenges of each option.

These insights helped SCE and stakeholders make informed decisions about the island’s energy future.