California stands at a historic crossroads in its clean energy transformation. With bold carbon neutrality goals for 2045, record-setting procurement, and a sweeping affordability and climate package passed in 2025, including groundbreaking policies like SB 254 and the Transmission Infrastructure Accelerator, the state has momentum like never before. Yet, the challenges ahead are equally unprecedented.
A new era of energy complexity is emerging. Surging demand from data centers, AI, and widespread electrification is converging with grid stress, interconnection delays, and critical transmission bottlenecks. As California works to meet its climate, reliability, and equity goals, the question is no longer if the system must evolve, but how fast, and how smartly.
Key questions must be tackled head-on:
- Are we on track to meet 2045 targets—or is course correction needed?
- Can California build infrastructure at the speed required?
- What does AB 825 mean for regional integration, governance, and reliability?
- How will soaring loads reshape grid planning and investment?
- What reforms and financing tools are essential to unlock clean energy at scale?
- And how can utilities, CCAs, developers, regulators, and investors align to overcome barriers and accelerate deployment?
Infocast’s California Clean Energy Summit 2026 is the state’s premier conference bringing together the full energy market value chain; policymakers, regulators, utilities, CCAs, developers, financiers, and technology providers, for two and a half days of deep, solution-focused discussion. This is not just a policy conference. It’s where California’s most pressing energy issues are confronted head-on and real strategies are forged.
Plus kicking off the Summit, a featured Executive Briefing: Powering the Western Grid. This exclusive, high-level session brings together grid operators, regulators, utilities, and transmission stakeholders to confront the regional infrastructure issues reshaping the West.
Topics include:
- Transmission financing and permitting
- Interconnection reform and FERC Order 2023
- Market alignment and Western regionalization
- Planning for explosive load growth
Whether you’re a policymaker, developer, investor, or utility, this briefing offers a concise and actionable look at what it will take to build a more integrated, reliable Western grid.
This is the event where strategy meets execution. Join us and gain the intelligence, connections, and clarity you need to lead in California’s clean energy transition.