Emergency Load Reduction Program

Get paid for reducing your energy use

With the Emergency Load Reduction Program (ELRP), eligible SDG&E business customers can get paid to voluntarily reduce energy load in the event of a grid emergency.

Emergency Load Reduction

How It Works

Increased demand for cooling in the hot summer months strains the electrical grid, creating a higher risk of power outages. As a result, the Emergency Load Reduction Program was created to allow business customers in SDG&E's service territory to voluntarily participate in load reduction when the grid is especially stressed — and get paid.

Business customers who qualify and enroll in ELRP will choose their estimated target load reduction quantity to be achieved during an event. An event may be called any day of the week from 4-9 p.m. during the months of May through October with an event duration of one to five hours. During a grid emergency, California Independent System Operator (CAISO) will trigger an ELRP event, and notifications will be sent out the day ahead of the event. Participants enrolled in the ELRP will be paid $2/kWh for verified load shed.

Participation during an ELRP event is entirely voluntary, and no financial penalties will result from not meeting or exceeding nominated target during the event. You will be paid for what you deliver. See official terms and conditions for more details. 

Learn more about ELRP

For more information about this program, you can refer to the Decision D.21-0 15, which can be found on the California Public Utilities Commission website.

The programs described herein are funded by California utility customers and administered by San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E®) under the auspices of the CPUC.