SDG&E Wins National Award For Best Electric Reliability In America

Company receives coveted national ranking for third time in its history

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Nov 29, 2018, 17:00 ET

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 29, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) believes that every home and business deserves reliable energy. Whether it is keeping the lights on at home or work, or charging an electric vehicle, customers depend on SDG&E every day to power their lives.

Yesterday, SDG&E was honored with the 2018 ReliabilityOne™ 'National Reliability Award' for superior performance among utilities in America by PA Consulting. In addition to this achievement, SDG&E received the 'Regional Reliability Award' for the Western Region for the 13^th consecutive year, and the 'Outstanding Technology and Innovation' award for the second year in a row for utilizing innovative technology to improve electric service.

"Every day, our 4,000 employees come to work committed to providing reliable energy service to our customers – it is what our customers expect, and it is what they deserve," said Caroline Winn, chief operating officer for SDG&E. "This award is particularly noteworthy given that the amount of renewable energy SDG&E integrates is among the highest levels in the country. Our efforts don't stop there. We are continuing to improve, modernize and upgrade the electric grid to ensure that the communities we serve have clean, safe and reliable energy for generations to come."

The ReliabilityOne™ Awards are given annually to utilities over six regions that have excelled in delivering the most reliable electric service to its customers. To be named the most reliable utility in the United States means electricity is available when customers need it, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with fewer interruptions than most utility-customers throughout the country.

Maintaining award-winning reliability is the foundation of SDG&E's day-to-day operations. Highly trained engineers, electric crews and power grid operators are continually working to lower the number and duration of power outages customers experience. With advanced and innovative improvements to the grid, customers on average experience about one power outage every other year lasting approximately 60 minutes.

Some of SDG&E's innovative technology and reliability enhancements that contributed to national recognition include:

Modernizing infrastructure: SDG&E is actively upgrading aging electrical equipment to ensure better performance, safety and reliability for customers. Fire hardening efforts are also on-going in our region's most fire-prone areas as SDG&E continues to mitigate the threat of wildfire in order to keep communities safe.
Advancing clean energy: SDG&E is upgrading the power grid that serves the region to fully support the migration to 100% carbon-free energy in the years to come. To help facilitate a cleaner and healthier environment, SDG&E today is delivering around 45 percent of its energy from renewable sources.
Investing in innovative energy solutions: As part of SDG&E's ongoing commitment to delivering a balanced mix of clean and reliable energy, the company has been a leader in its development of energy storage and microgrid programs. These new technologies allow power grid operators to gather intelligence, engineer, design, and ultimately build system upgrades that leverage innovative equipment and improve reliability for customers.

"Since 2000, PA Consulting's ReliabilityOne™ program has pushed electric utilities providers to new heights of reliability," said Gregg Edeson, PA Consulting's ReliabilityOne™ Program Director. "This year, we once again showcase top industry leaders. The PA Consulting team applauds SDG&E for continuing to move the needle forward."

SDG&E is an innovative San Diego-based energy company that provides clean, safe and reliable energy to better the lives of the people it serves in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The company is committed to creating a sustainable future by providing around 45 percent of its electricity from renewable sources; modernizing natural gas pipelines; accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles; supporting numerous non-profit partners; and, investing in innovative technologies to ensure the reliable operation of the region's infrastructure for generations to come. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), an energy services holding company based in San Diego. For more information, visit SDGEnews.com or connect with SDG&E on Twitter (@SDGE), Instagram (@SDGE) and Facebook.

About PA Consulting

An innovation and transformation consultancy, we believe in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future in a technology-driven world. As strategies, technologies and innovation collide, we turn complexity into opportunity. Our diverse teams of experts combine innovative thinking and breakthrough technologies to progress further, faster. Our clients adapt and transform, and together we achieve enduring results. We are over 2,600 specialists in consumer, defense and security, energy and utilities, financial services, government, healthcare, life sciences, manufacturing, and transport, travel and logistics. And we operate globally from offices across the Americas, Europe, the Nordics and the Gulf. PA. Bringing Ingenuity to Life. For more information about PA Consulting, visit www.paconsulting.com.

PA's ReliabilityOne™ awards are presented to electric utilities providing their customers with the highest levels of reliability in the industry. PA's ReliabilityOne™ study is based on standard industry reliability statistics that measure the frequency and duration of electric power outages and has been analyzing electric utility performance since 1987. For more information about PA Consulting, visit www.paconsulting.com/energy.

SOURCE San Diego Gas & Electric