AES Huntington Beach
Not everyone may know what those two stacks across from Huntington State Beach are for, but you certainly know where you are when you see them. The natural gas-fired power plant located at Newland and PCH in Huntington Beach is owned and operated by AES Corporation. Construction of the plant was built between 1957 and 1961 and has been upgraded several times since then. In 2020, the plant was converted to a combined-cycle plant, which increased its efficiency and reduced its emissions. The plant has been controversial since it was built. Some residents and environmental groups have criticized the plant’s emissions and its location near the Pacific Ocean. However, the plant has been operating safely and reliably since it was built. It is one of the largest power plants in California and an important part of the California electric grid.
Huntington Beach, Orange County
Photographers: Gary Miller, Andrew Schmidt