➕ Why does the Council focus on efficiency?
Energy efficiency is expected to meet our future load growth over the next 20 years
In 2014, ratepayers spent about $3.78 billion less for electricity, or about 1/3 of the Northwest’s $12 billion total electric bills.
Through energy efficiency, the current power system is emitting 22.5 million tons less carbon dioxide.
Includes all generating resources.
➕ What have the region and Council achieved?
Since 1978, efficiency has saved about 7,000 average megawatts. That’s half the region’s growth in demand for electricity, or enough power for five Seattles.
The region’s utility-funded savings have exceeded the Council’s annual efficiency targets from 2004-2017, with 2018-2019 the only shortfalls.
As a result of energy efficiency, Northwest electricity use per person has been decreasing faster than the US average.
The Northwest is producing more using less energy (compared to the US average)
Gross Domestic Product: Bureau of Economic Analysis, measured in $2005 dollars
Energy Consumption: State Energy Data System, includes all sectors, residential, commercial, industrial and transport and includes all energy forms, not just electricity
Major sources of energy efficiency by sector and end-use (2010-2018).
Click any pie slice to change larger detail pie below.
For more about these energy measures, see the Regional Technical Forum's Conservation Report and Measures pages. As technology continues to advance, so will new forms of energy efficiency. We expect to see more efficient lighting and heating and cooling systems, as well as improved controls of those systems.
➕ How does the region help make this happen?
- The Seventh Power Plan and the Action Plan implementation
- Unified and collaborative focus across region through the Regional Technical Forum and related organizations
- Research and analysis from the Council and partners like the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance and Bonneville Power Administration
- The Council acts as a thought leader and a place to discuss the best methodologies for EE and other power planning like adequacy, loads, and more.
- The Council is pushing all these envelopes and acting as a pivot point for great ideas. It helps the region succeed by drawing parties together to move conservation forward in the Northwest.
- More about the history of efficiency in the Northwest
➕ What’s next / Council’s role?
Energy efficiency potential by 2035 from 7th Power Plan by sector and end-use.
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- Videos and interviews from the 2016 Energy Efficiency Exchange show what the future holds for energy efficiency