Long Plagued by Power Failures, Pescadero Stands to Gain in Bid to Build One of California’s Largest Community Microgrids

PESCADERO -On this stretch of the southern San Mateo County coast, power outages have become as routine as the morning fog. The lights have failed more than 400 times over two years, darkening homes, schools and the small downtown that draws visitors for its bakeries, farm-fresh produce and coastal charm.

San Mateo County officials are now backing an ambitious fix: a solar-and-battery community microgridthat would keep much of the town powered even when the wider grid fails. If built, it would be one of the largest projects of its kind in California.

This week, the Board of Supervisors approved a $3 million commitmenttoward the project, joining a $10 million pledge from Peninsula Clean Energy, the countywide clean-power agency. The local match is intended to strengthen an application for Pacific Gas & Electric's Microgrid Incentive Program, which favors projects with significant financial contributions from local partners.

"With this investment we embrace a resilient reliable clean energy future, for a community that for decades has been a victim of one of the Bay Area's worst power infrastructures," said Supervisor Ray Mueller, who represents the South Coast. "By committing to invest in this solar microgrid, we are keeping people safe, kids in school, small business open and making a decisive move towards a climate resilient future for seniors and families living in Pescadero. And we are providing a safety hub where people can travel to during natural hazard events, for those living in the large area of unincorporated San Mateo surrounding Pescadero."

Between 2021 and 2022, Pescadero endured 25 outages that stretched longer than a day, and at one point residents were without electricity for nearly two weeks. The disruptions have closed schools, spoiled food, forced businesses to close and interrupted operations at Puente de la Costa Sur, the local Core Service Agency.

"Peninsula Clean Energy is excited to partner with county and Pescadero community leaders on a very innovative and important way to help our underserved coastside communities who are among the hardest hit with power outages," said Peninsula Clean Energy CEO Shawn Marshall.

Local officials say the microgrid could change that. Powered by a large solar array and backed by industrial-scale batteries, the system would be able to keep the town running for up to three days in winter and more than a week in summer. It would provide power to two schools, the fire station, Puente, several community centers and more than 100 homes and businesses.

"This microgrid is more than an emergency solution - it's an investment in stability, comfort and dignity for a community that has endured far too many preventable disruptions," said Dr. Shruti Dhapodkar, director of San Mateo County Emergency Management. "By creating a reliable source of power, we're strengthening Pescadero's resilience not only during disasters, but every single day."

Pescadero faces a range of challenges that threaten its power supply year-round. The downtown sits less than two miles from the Pacific Ocean and is prone to seasonal flooding; fallen trees and high water often slow repair crews trying to reach the area. In summer, high winds in the coastal hills and memories of the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex fire highlight the wildfire risks that can lead to precautionary shut-offs and threatened the power grid across the region.

These climate-related challenges underscore the urgent need for resilient energy systems that combat the escalating impacts of climate change.

County officials say those vulnerabilities are why Pescadero stands out under the state's incentive program, which prioritizes communities that face frequent and extended outages. According to a staff report, the substantial local match from the County and Peninsula Clean Energy would reduce the amount requested from PG&E and improve the proposal's competitiveness.

If approved, the project would enter an 18-month planning phase beginning in 2027, including engineering, environmental review and final site selection for the solar array and battery system. One option under discussion is land near the local school district campus, though County officials say other sites may be evaluated as the design progresses.

For county leaders, the project would mark a major step toward the resilience goals outlined in San Mateo County's Community Climate Action Plan, which calls for expanding local renewable energy and improving grid stability in vulnerable communities. Traditional reliance on diesel-burning generators during power outages also increases local air pollution and carbon emissions, making clean, renewable solutions like solar microgrids vital for climate adaptation.

"The County's commitment to fund a microgrid in Pescadero stands as a testament to our dedication to advancing clean energy solutions and bolstering climate resilience. By harnessing the abundance of energy from the sun, this microgrid will forge a path toward a sustainable and climate-resilient future for our community," said Jasneet W. Sharma, the director of the County's Sustainability Department.

Cassandra Matter (she/her/ella)
Communications Director and Legislative Policy Aide
Office of Supervisor Ray Mueller, County of San Mateo - Third District
[email protected]
650-363-4569