Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--California is backing up its ambitious plans for renewable power generation and storage with much-needed transmission and distribution (T&D) infrastructure. The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) recently approved a plan that sets aside about $7.3 billion for nearly four dozen transmission lines over the next decade.

Industrial Info already is tracking more than $8.2 billion worth of active and proposed T&D projects across California, about half of which is attributed to projects that have a medium-to-high likelihood (70% or more) of moving forward as planned. Companies involved include Edison International (NYSE:EIX), PG&E Corporation and (NYSE:PCG), NextEra Energy Incorporated (NYSE:NEE).

Capacity added under the new T&D plan will carry more than 17 GW of solar-generated energy and more than 3.5 GW of in-state wind-generated energy, according to the ISO, in addition to output from various geothermal and battery energy-storage system (BESS) projects.