The past few years have been a wake-up call for many of us in California. PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) and devastating wildfires, we’ve learned a lot about the importance of reliable power and emergency preparedness. No longer can we take electricity for granted, and we must adapt to this new reality.

One of the most significant changes has been the increase in outages. In 2010, the average customer experienced just 50 outage minutes per year. By 2019, that number had skyrocketed to 484 outage minutes per year – an increase of 867%. That means more than eight hours of power outages each year, on average.

These outages aren’t just inconvenient; they can be dangerous as they can lead to the loss of critical systems such as water pumps for fire suppression, gas station pumps, security systems, municipalities, etc. .

But even those backup sources can be strained under these extreme conditions. Generators that were once tested in controlled laboratory environments are now being put to the test in the field. Manufacturers are visiting Leete Generators to gather data on performance, so they can improve their equipment to better withstand these challenging conditions.

The past few years have brought about significant changes in California’s power landscape. Leete has learned so much, and we truly enjoy educating our clients so we are all prepared to withstand outages.