Since the 1980s, IPP has provided a reliable energy supply for Los Angeles’ growing population. Owned by the Intermountain Power Agency, IPP’s participants include 35 utilities across Utah and California. LADWP serves as IPP’s operating agent and project manager.
IPP was the last source of coal-fueled energy in LADWP’s power supply, providing 11% of Los Angeles’ energy in 2024. Now, Los Angeles no longer utilizes coal-fueled energy from IPP and has switched to newly constructed units that can run on a fuel blend of natural gas and up to 30% green hydrogen. In the future, it will be able to run on 100% green hydrogen. These changes are part of a portfolio of projects called IPP Renewed.
L.A.’s divestment from coal and transition to utilizing energy from hydrogen-capable units is an important step toward providing cleaner energy for Los Angeles. It marks a significant milestone on L.A.’s path to achieving its goal of 100% clean, carbon-free energy by 2035.
Currently, the new units at IPP run on natural gas, with plans to start adding green hydrogen to its fuel in 2026. Here’s the impact of the changes at IPP:
| IPP | IPP Renewed | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Source | Coal | 30% green hydrogen / 70% natural gas |
| Capacity | 1,800 MW | 840 MW |
| Average CO2 emissions per year | 11.2 million metric tons | 1.5 million metric tons |
| Average CO2 emissions per MWh of electricity generated | 2,035 pounds | 630 pounds |
Renewable Energy Expansion
LADWP and the City of Los Angeles have been at the forefront of California utilities in adopting aggressive clean energy goals.
