Council hears update on port power interruptions, DWP and Port to complete study by October 2025

Los Angeles City Council members heard a briefing about repeated electricity interruptions at Port of Los Angeles terminal operations and the steps underway to reduce equipment outages as the port electrifies operations.

The report, presented by representatives from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) and the Port of Los Angeles, described a joint technical study begun in December to analyze momentary interruptions and other sensitivities affecting heavy shore-based equipment. “Many of these are what are called momentary interruptions of electricity, and we want to minimize those in particular,” a DWP presenter said, summarizing the study’s focus on both utility-side and customer-side protections.

Why it matters: port terminals are installing electric motors and sensitive equipment as they electrify operations; interruptions can trigger protective shutdowns that take hours to recover, disrupting cargo movement and operations and increasing costs for terminal operators and tenants.

Key points from the presentations included: DWP and port staff have begun on-site analyses at two terminal operators; vendors and technical teams are cataloging equipment types, motor sensitivities and existing protective devices; the on-site phase will continue through March and into April; and a consolidated study with formal recommendations to DWP, port operators and terminal customers is expected in October 2025. The presenters said the recommendations will cover both utility-side system improvements and customer-side protective strategies.

Councilmembers asked for a public follow-up process. A councilmember asked for a return hearing so the public and tenants could review progress; the councilmember also said cost-sharing arrangements between DWP, the port and terminal operators should be explored. Port and DWP staff said the study will identify measures each party can take and that coordination on potential cost-sharing will be part of future discussions.

No formal council action was taken at the presentation; the council accepted the briefing and moved to close the public portion before scheduling a closed session to follow. The presentations were provided during the item the council had called for public discussion of power interruptions and electrification planning at the port.

Public comment and next steps: councilmembers indicated they expect periodic progress reports tied to the October 2025 study deliverable. DWP and port staff said they will continue site analyses and will provide recommendations addressing both system upgrades and customer-side protective devices.