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San Diego Community Power outlines programs, local grants and savings for National City
Summary
San Diego Community Power briefed the council on its service offerings, 2025 rates, local grants and pilot programs including battery‑storage incentives and a $50,000 climate planning grant to National City.
San Diego Community Power (SDCP) presented an overview of its programs and the utility options available to National City customers, telling the council the community choice aggregator aims to balance renewable procurement, affordability and local programs.
Karen Burns, SDCP chief executive officer, said the agency buys wholesale energy and customers continue to receive a single bill from SDG&E that separates generation and delivery. Burns said SDCP's core service offers at least 50% renewable generation and for 2025 the default product is about 3% cheaper than SDG&E generation; an affordability option, Power Base, is currently about 5% less expensive.
Burns described SDCP's long‑term power purchase agreements — more than 1.6 GW of renewables and nearly 2 GW of energy storage contracted — and new pilot programs that aim to reduce peak demand, including Smart Home Flex (thermostat optimization), EV Connect (managed vehicle charging) and a solar+battery savings pilot recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy. Burns said roughly one‑third of the pilot battery installations served customers in communities of concern or enrolled in low‑income rate programs.
Local grants and projects: Burns said SDCP awarded nearly $1.2 million to 16 local nonprofit projects and noted National City received about $50,000 to support the city's climate plan. SDCP also funded a 16.4 kW solar + 35 kW storage installation at Olivewood Gardens in National City; staff estimated that project will save the organization more than $400,000 over 10–12 years.
Questions from council focused on higher transmission charges on SDG&E bills and how SDCP's discounts relate to the full bill; staff urged customers with bill spikes to contact SDG&E about delivery and transmission components. Burns suggested residents compare the joint rate mailer SDCP provides with SDG&E charges to understand differences.
Why it matters: SDCP programs and grant funding affect local energy resilience, job opportunities and city climate planning. Council members underscored interest in local tree‑to‑grid projects and workforce benefits tied to solar and storage work.
Next steps: SDCP staff encouraged member‑agency outreach and said SDCP is available for community events and advisory committee briefings.
