PWP wins National Award for its path to 100% clean energy

Pasadena Water and Power Assistant General Manager of Power Supply Kelly Nguyen stood in Washington, D.C., September 2 to accept a 2026 Green Power Leadership Award on behalf of PWP. She was joined by Chief Assistant General Manager Stacie Takeguchi, who also traveled to Washington to accept the recognition on behalf of the utility.

The award, presented by the Center for Resource Solutions at its Renewable Energy Markets Conference, recognized PWP in the category of “Impactful Procurement” for its work advancing Pasadena’s transition toward 100 percent carbon-free electricity by the end of 2030.

The recognition reflects years of behind-the-scenes work by PWP staff, City Council, the Environmental Advisory Commission, expert consultants and community members to transition the municipal utility from fossil fuels to renewable resources while maintaining reliable electricity.

“We are so grateful for all the support from Pasadena’s leadership and the community on our clean energy transition,” Nguyen said, attributing the award to all of Pasadena and her dedicated team.

The People Behind the Power

Nguyen brings 20 years of experience in the energy industry to PWP. Before joining Pasadena, she served as general manager of Vernon Public Utilities and previously worked for the Southern California Public Power Authority, Anaheim Public Utilities and the California Power Exchange.

Her experience includes expertise in long-term planning, energy and transmission contracts, wholesale energy market operations, reliability standards and regulatory compliance. She has also served in leadership and advisory positions with organizations including the Western Systems Power Pool, California Municipal Utilities Association, Southern California Public Power Authority and the American Public Power Association.

Takeguchi, a licensed engineer, has more than 20 years of experience in the water industry. Before joining PWP, she spent 15 years with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, where she served in a variety of capacities, including leading regional drought action-planning efforts. She also has experience managing innovative stormwater multi-use projects with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works.

Since Pasadena adopted its Integrated Resource Plan in 2023, PWP has continued developing its clean-energy portfolio and implementing the Optimized Strategic Plan designed to achieve the 2030 goal. That work includes negotiating contracts to import renewable electricity, planning local generation, managing storage for periods when solar power isn’t available, and responding to shifting demand and energy-market conditions across the West. The plan includes a dramatic increase in imported electricity generated by renewable resources like solar, wind, water and geothermal energy, more locally generated solar electricity, energy storage, and grid management and demand-response technology.

One example is the Glenarm Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project, a 25-megawatt, four-hour utility-scale battery that is about to break ground. PWP says the system will be able to deliver carbon-free energy during peak hours, helping reliability while reducing transmission constraints. This was planned and is being managed by Nguyen and her PWP team. A larger state-of-the-art storage system is planned for the end of the decade.

These storage systems are part of a statewide trend; at any given moment in California, much of the state’s electricity is actually coming from battery storage facilities rather than direct generation.

A Goal That Came From the Community

Pasadena’s 2030 carbon-free electricity goal grew out of years of community advocacy that pushed the issue into City Hall. PASADENA 100, a coalition of local nonprofit organizations and individuals, spent years advocating for the city to make the transition to 100 percent carbon-free electricity. The coalition’s campaign included postcards, petitions, public testimony, rallies and persistent engagement with the City Council.

In January 2023, the Pasadena City Council unanimously adopted a climate emergency resolution establishing the goal of sourcing 100 percent of Pasadena’s electricity from carbon-free sources by 2030.

The PASADENA 100 campaign has included scientists, students, environmental advocates, civic organizations and residents. The coalition has continued to monitor PWP’s planning and advocate for the investments necessary to make the 2030 goal real, including more local solar and battery storage.

Recognition for Impactful Procurement

The Center for Resource Solutions’ “Impactful Procurement” category recognizes actual renewable-energy procurement and activities undertaken since 2025.

PWP General Manager David Reyes described the effort as a combination of forward-looking procurement and targeted investments designed to accelerate new renewable energy and storage resources while strengthening reliability.

“Every milestone we reach brings Pasadena closer to a 100% carbon-free future,” Mayor Victor Gordo said in announcing the award.

The conference in Washington, D.C. drew renewable-energy experts, utilities, policymakers, energy buyers and developers from around the country. Sessions covered battery and thermal storage, geothermal and other “clean firm” technologies, hourly matching of renewable energy to electricity demand, renewable-energy markets, carbon accounting, and the challenges posed by rapidly growing electricity loads such as data centers.

PWP staff continue developing procurement strategies and storage projects toward the 2030 deadline. PASADENA 100 and other community advocates continue to monitor the utility’s progress. Nguyen and Takeguchi are now representing that work in national conversations about the future of clean and reliable electric systems.