About RENs

California's energy landscape has evolved over the past decade, with regional energy networks (RENs) playing a key role. Established in 2013 as pilot programs, RENs began offering energy retrofit solutions, education, outreach, incentives, financing, and workforce training. Early pioneers like BayREN and SoCalREN paved the way for broader efforts.

Today, RENs are crucial to California's energy strategy, providing energy efficiency programs tailored to local communities. Guided by local governments and authorized by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), RENs adapt to meet the needs of underserved areas, making them essential to the state's energy future.

The reach of RENs has grown significantly, now serving 94% of California’s population through Bay Area REN, Southern California REN, Tri-County REN, Inland REN, San Diego REN, Central California Rural REN and Rural REN North.

Why RENs?

RENs play a vital role by providing energy efficiency programs tailored to their regions, addressing gaps left by large investor-owned utility (IOU) programs. What sets them apart is their holistic approach, leveraging extra funding to enhance energy initiatives and bring added value to communities. Their localized focus allows them to understand and meet specific needs while ensuring transparency and affordability for their communities.

RENs not only reduce energy use but also lower electricity bills, reduce demand, and create local jobs. As energy demand grows from sectors like transportation and data centers, RENs play a key role in managing load, developing a skilled workforce, and keeping energy affordable. Ultimately, RENs deliver broad economic benefits, improving public health and supporting all Californians.

Note: Service territories in map are approximate. See individual REN websites for specific program/service eligibility criteria.

  • The Northern Rural Energy Network (NREN), is a Regional Energy Network serving customers in 14 Sierra Nevada and 3 North Coast counties within the PG&E territory. NREN is a coalition of four partners, the Redwood Coast Energy Authority, Sierra Business Council, Lake Area Planning Council, and Mendocino Council of Governments. NREN is designed to address the needs and challenges of rural and hard to reach customers who have often not had access to many of California’s multiple energy efficiency initiatives. NREN offers a variety of energy efficiency services for residential, business and public sector customers, and will also focus on workforce education, codes and standards and energy efficiency financing. NREN is administered by Redwood Coast Energy Authority.

  • The Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) is a coalition of all nine Bay Area counties that supports communities in equitably achieving California’s climate and energy goals since 2013. As a network of local governments and the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), BayREN provides ten regional-scale energy efficiency programs, services and resources that empower residents, small businesses and local governments to improve buildings.

  • The Central California Rural REN is a Regional Energy Network formed and led by five members of the Rural Hard-to-Reach Working Group (RHTR)8. RHTR is an alliance of rural California local governments and non-profits experienced in implementing energy efficiency programs with the primary goal of advancing local, regional, and state policy and regulatory decisions in rural California.

  • The Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN) offers a variety of services that lead public agencies, businesses, and residents toward a safe, secure, and sustainable clean energy future. SoCalREN is administered by the County of Los Angeles and serves 13 counties in SCE and SCG territory. (CPUC authorization: 2012)

  • The Tri-County Regional Energy Network (3C-REN) delivers energy-saving programs and industry trainings that help reduce energy use, strengthen local job markets, and support efforts to achieve climate goals. 3C-REN is administered by the County of Ventura and serves the Counties of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura in PG&E, SCE and SCG territory. (CPUC authorization: 2018)

  • The Inland Regional Energy Network (I-REN) offers programs in the public sector, workforce education and training, and codes and standards areas. I-REN is administered by the Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) and serves the Counties of Riverside and San Bernardino in SCE and SGC territory. (CPUC authorization: 2022)

  • The San Diego Regional Energy Network (SDREN) offers programs throughout San Diego County that make inroads into communities to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, achieve equity, drive market transformation, and provide value to ratepayers. SDREN is focused on helping communities invest in strategies that hasten decarbonization and energy efficiency. SDREN is administered by San Diego Community Power and the County of San Diego in SDG&E territory. (CPUC authorization: August 2024)