Pacific Gas and Electric 2023 TIP Winning Entry

Top Innovative Practice Award
Project: Diablo Canyon Power Plant's Pivot: From Decommissioning Planning to Potential Extended Operations to Support California's Electrical Reliability
Awarded to: @pgevideo
Until recently, Pacific Gas & Electric was on track to start decommissioning the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant in the 2024-2025 timeframe. But a series of events led to a dramatic change of course for Diablo Canyon.
Today, the Diablo Canyon team is planning to extend operations to meet California’s future energy needs. As California faced unforeseen events, including power outages and extreme heat waves there were growing concerns about whether California would have enough electricity capacity, especially carbon-free power, for the years ahead.
PG&E's response to the concerns over statewide electricity capacity shortages, and ultimately its decision to pursue license extension, demonstrated the company's ability to navigate changing energy demand and policies. This momentous shift on the possible future of Diablo Canyon highlights the importance of adaptability, collaboration, and forward-thinking in the nuclear energy industry.