Utility DSM programs in the region are yielding significant benefits. SWEEP estimates that households and businesses will save more than $9 billion as a result of utility DSM programs implemented during 2006-2019 (see Table below). These programs have already cut power plant carbon dioxide emissions by about 117 million metric tons, and even greater reductions will occur in the future due to both energy efficiency measures already installed and those yet to be adopted.
Utility DSM programs are also cutting load growth thereby reducing the need for costly new power plants as well as upgrades to transmission and distribution infrastructure. SWEEP estimates that utilities in the region have already avoided constructing and operating ten large (400 MW) power plants or their equivalent as a result of energy efficiency programs implemented during 2006-2019.
Electricity Savings, Net Economic Benefits, and Avoided CO2 Emissions from Utility DSM Programs in the Southwest
| Year |
First-year Energy Savings
(GWh/yr) |
Energy Savings from Cumulative Programs
(GWh/yr) |
Net Economic Benefits from Annual Programs
(Million $) |
Avoided CO2 Emissions
(1000 metric tons) |
|
2006
|
625
|
625
|
256
|
238
|
|
2007
|
930
|
1,555
|
332
|
1,088
|
|
2008
|
1,400
|
2,955
|
459
|
2,068
|
|
2009
|
1,510
|
4,465
|
653
|
3,125
|
|
2010
|
1,690
|
6,115
|
767
|
4,308
|
|
2011
|
1,890
|
8,045
|
864
|
5,632
|
|
2012
|
2,167
|
10,212
|
750
|
7,148
|
|
2013
|
2,265
|
12,477
|
750
|
8,734
|
|
2014
|
2,325
|
14,802
|
830
|
10,361
|
|
2015
|
2,371
|
17,173
|
750
|
12,021
|
|
2016
|
2,394
|
19,567
|
825
|
13,697
|
|
2017
|
2,418
|
21,985
|
880
|
15,390
|
|
2018
|
2,235 |
24,220 |
943 |
16,154
|
| 2019 |
2,298 |
26,518 |
990 |
15,910 |
|
TOTAL
|
26,518
|
------
|
9,169
|
116,874
|
SWEEP has prepared a paper reviewing the impacts and benefits of DSM programs implemented by the major electric utilities in the region during 2010-2019. In addition, SWEEP has prepared a set of success stories on electric utility energy efficiency programs and their impacts by state: