Through the statewide transmission planning processes, CAISO identified the need for Golden Pacific Powerlink.

According to CAISO’s 2022–23 Transmission Plan, key transmission lines serving Southern California can become constrained, which limits how much power can be delivered into the region during periods of high demand.

The statewide transmission planning process has identified the need for significant new electricity generation and delivery capacity to meet future demand and reliability needs. Without new transmission pathways, electricity – regardless of where it is generated – cannot be delivered to major population centers where the demand will be highest.

The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) manages the flow of electricity across the high‑voltage, long‑distance transmission system that serves about 80 percent of California. Through its statewide transmission planning process, CAISO identified the need for Golden Pacific Powerlink and determined the general area where the line must be located to meet system reliability and grid needs.

San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is a investor-owned utility company that provides energy to communities in San Diego and Orange Counties. SDG&E has agreed to design and develop the new infrastructure and is now working within CAISO’s framework to refine the preliminary route, which will ultimately be reviewed and must be approved by state and federal agencies.

CAISO has already determined the need for the project and identified the start and end points for the transmission line. SDG&E is refining a preliminary route that emerged from CAISO’s competitive solicitation process

Routing alternatives will be evaluated as part of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental review processes. Analysis under other applicable laws will also take place. Community feedback is an important part of these processes and will help identify issues and potential alternatives for further study.

Any alternative route must still meet the project objectives established by CAISO. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is the agency responsible for approving the final route, additional approvals will also be obtained from land management agencies, as necessary.

Golden Pacific Powerlink is in the early planning and design phase. The project is building on the route framework identified through CAISO’s strategic planning process, which established the need for the line and its general start and end points.

SDG&E is currently doing preliminary engineering and design work to refine a preliminary conceptual route. This work is needed so state and federal agencies can review the project.

At the same time, SDG&E is sharing information and gathering early community feedback. Input received now helps identify issues that may be studied further as part of the formal environmental review process, which is required before any route is finalized or construction can begin.

Check out the Connecting with Communities page on this site for more information on how to get involved.

Golden Pacific Powerlink will be reviewed under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). These laws require state and federal agencies to study the potential environmental effects of the project, consider reasonable alternatives, and identify measures to reduce impacts where feasible.

CEQA and NEPA focus on understanding and disclosing potential impacts so decision-makers and the public are informed of those impacts and potential mitigation needs before approvals are granted. The process includes opportunities for public input and review, but it does not predetermine the final project design or guarantee that all impacts can be avoided.

No construction can begin unless the required environmental reviews are completed and the appropriate agencies approve the project.

This website provides project updates, documents, and opportunities to participate. Visitors can review open house materials and submit questions or comments to the project team.

Additional engagement opportunities will continue throughout planning and environmental review. The project team will be available to answer questions at each stage.

You can also contact us directly through our project phone line or email address at the bottom of this page.

Transmission projects that provide statewide benefits are paid for by electricity customers across California within CAISO’s jurisdiction.

Based on current load figures, SDG&E customers are expected to pay approximately 9% of the project cost, with the remainder paid by other customers within CAISO’s jurisdiction. Rate impacts are not yet known. SDG&E’s transmission rates are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which reviews project costs to ensure they are just and reasonable.

Golden Pacific Powerlink helps support statewide grid reliability while bringing regional benefits, including improved energy reliability during high‑demand periods and emergencies such as heat waves or wildfires.

The project is expected to create good-paying construction jobs and support local economic activity in San Diego, Imperial, Riverside, and surrounding counties.

Safety is our top priority. SDG&E is a nationally recognized leader in wildfire mitigation and uses multiple layers of prevention—including stronger equipment, advanced technologies, vegetation management, and ongoing inspections—to reduce wildfire risk, especially in high fire‑risk areas. Learn more about our fire safety program here: https://www.sdge.com/community-fire-safety-program

SDG&E monitors wildfire conditions in real time and takes proactive steps during extreme weather, using weather stations, cameras, and forecasting tools to reduce risk and respond quickly when conditions change.

Sunrise Powerlink was proposed and approved more than 15 years ago under a regulatory framework that has since changed. Since then, state and federal agencies have strengthened requirements for environmental review, wildfire risk evaluation, and public engagement.

The Golden Pacific Powerlink is being reviewed under today’s permitting processes, which clearly define how alternatives are evaluated and how public input is collected and considered. These processes are led by regulatory agencies—not SDG&E.

SDG&E’s focus is on supporting agency‑led engagement and ensuring communities can meaningfully participate as the project is reviewed.