In Sitka, electricity is generated and distributed by the CBS owned and operated grid. In 2024:
Annual Electricity Summaries
The grid is an interconnected network of power plants, power lines, and power stations that move electricity from the source to the consumers (you!)
There are three main parts of the grid:
Generation sources can be divided into two groups:
Renewable energy sources are naturally replenished on a human timescale. For example, solar and wind are resources that can be harnessed regularly to generate electricity and do not diminish the source.
In Sitka, two hydroelectric dams provide the community with 99.9% of their electricity which is replenished by the abundant rain Sitka experiences.
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Non-renewable energy sources do not replenish on a human timescale. Fossil fuels, like coal, petroleum oil, and natural gas are considered non-renewable because they take millions of years to form and are finite in amount.
Sitka has backup diesel generators must be occasionally exercised so they are ready in an emergency. The electricity still gets used and is less than 1% of Sitka's electricity use.
Moving Electricity
Refers to high voltage lines which range from 35 – 765 kV (kilovolts) and is used to move electricity over long distances. High voltage lines are too much for home use.
Making Electricity Usable
The electricity travels through the transmission lines to a distribution substation. At distribution substations the electricity voltage is lowered to12-230 V (volts) or 0.012-0.230 kV, that is safe for residential and commercial use. For example, a standard U.S. outlet uses 120 V, and a standard kitchen range requires a 240 V circuit.
Sitka's generation sources, the Blue Lake and Green Lake Hydroelectric Projects, are located on the southern side of the grid. Electricity generated by the turbines is moved through transmission lines to the Jarvis St. substation or the Marine St. substation where it is moved through distribution lines to homes and businesses.
Simplified map of Sitka's grid
Sitka's grid is best considered a small, islanded grid
Depending on how you look at it, Sitka's grid can be considered a small island grid or two microgrids. Regardless, islanded grids are typical in Alaska but not in the U.S., and are usually located on islands, remote villages, or difficult-to-access regions. The islanded and isolated nature have unique challenges most grids do not have and are often more expensive to operate. Interconnected grids like large regional grids are able to purchase and sell power from neighboring communities to meet electricity needs and offset costs when there is surplus. However, this comes with more rules and regulations that often do not apply to islanded grids like Sitka.
Small grids have big challenges. Some of them include:
No interconnection to for balance or emergencies An islanded grid can't get help from its neighbors and must be completely self-reliant
Greater variability can reduce reliability Fewer parts means each part plays a bigger role. If one thing goes wrong, it causes bigger problems on a small grid
High shipping costs and volatile fuel markets The extra costs to transport parts and fuel for back up generators adds up
The impact of extreme weather events are worse Smaller grids have fewer resources that can be used during an emergency
To learn more about how Sitka's grid was built and some of the pros and cons of Sitka's grid, check out these other SCRES topics:
Sitka's Energy History Energy Independence
It depends. Because hydroelectric dams act like batteries that are recharged by rain, Sitka's ability to generate electricity depends on how much rain is captured. However, the dam reservoirs can only hold so much water and electricity usage varies seasonally and even hour by hour.On average, Sitka uses between 2/3 and 3/4 of its potential hydropower generation.
Based on historical rainfall, assuming consistent high loads, and perfect reservoir management, Sitka could have potentially generated approximately...
...but on average, used about 70% of its potential generation
Since Sitka's electricity depends on the natural environment which is unpredictable, careful monitoring and management of the reservoirs is key to ensuring Sitka's renewable electricity is available year-round, even in a low rainfall year. Additionally, as the community continues to electrify, efforts taken to conserve energy not only lower utility bills, it helps maintain Sitka's renewable electricity's availability. As part of SCRES, energy efficiency and conservation will play a critical role in Sitka's renewable energy future.
To learn more about what other renewable energy sources can work in Sitka, check out these other SCRES topics:
Sitka's Energy Potential
1970-2025
Sitka's load has steadily increased about 2% year-over-year and typically uses between 2/3 and 3/4 of its potential generation.
Is Sitka Running Out of Power?
No, Sitka is not running out of power. However, since Sitka's power generation is dependent on rainfall, it is not always guaranteed to be the same ever year, and other challenges, like grid constraints, exist that must be considered as well. Sitka's energy must be actively monitored and managed to ensure that hydropower remains available for whatever the community needs. That's why projects like SCRES are important, as well as other municipal projects that help manage Sitka's energy resources.
In 2025, residents were the biggest consumers of electricity...
... and Sitka's business consumers use about half of the U.S. average**.
*Interruptible loads are things that CBS can turn off to help control the electric load. Things like streetlights are unmetered.
**EIA Monthly Energy Review, Electricity, November 2025. A TWh is 1,000 GWh.
Sitka uses more electricity in the winter than the summer. In the winter, residents uses the most electricity, while in the summer, businesses use more.
Since residents are the primary users of electricity in Sitka and there is limited commercial and industry consumers currently capable of using the available power, careful consideration must be taken to ensure Sitka's rates remain as low as possible. Fortunately, what people can use electricity for and how they use it is rapidly changing, and opportunities to utilize Sitka's renewable power continue to grow.
To learn more about what individuals use energy for and how and to save energy, and how energy is used at a community scale, check out these SCRES topics:
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Sitka's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory
In 2025, Sitka's weighted average per kWh rate of 17.4¢ was the same as the national average of 17.45¢/kWh. Sitka utilizes variable rates with winter months (Nov-Apr) rates set at 13.71¢ and 21.93¢ for the summer (May-Oct). Based on seasonal usage, the weighted average rate per kWh is 17.41¢.
How do Sitka's monthly electricity usage and bills compare to other places?
Sitkans use nearly twice as much electricity as average Alaskans, but only pay about 9% more, or about $11 per month, on their electric bills. When compared to the rest of the U.S. average, Sitkans only use a little less electricity, but pay about $7 more per month
How does electricity use compare to total energy use?
Energy used in a month includes not only electricity, but also other sources, like gasoline, fuel oil, and propane as well. These costs added together determine how much someone spends on energy every month. The best way to reduce total energy consumption is to taking actions to conserve energy, be it weatherizing your home or driving less, both reduce total energy used.
To learn how to save energy, how rates are determined, or tips for understanding your utility bill, check out these other SCRES topics:
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Energy Economics
Sitka's Energy: Past and Present
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Rates are based on 2024 CBS utility rates, eia.gov, and rates as published on other municipal webpages. This page was last updated April, 2026