Energy 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 (2021) is emitting 23.9 million tons less carbon dioxide.

Includes all generating resources.

Since 1978, efficiency has saved 7,500 average megawatts. That’s half the region’s growth in demand for electricity, or enough power for five Seattles.

Below are the region’s utility funded savings achievements as compared to the Council’s power plan annual efficiency targets.

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 (2010-2021).
Click any slice to change larger detail pie below.

For more about these energy efficiency 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.

Energy efficiency potential by 2041 (by sector and end-use)
Click any slice to change larger detail pie below.