Utility Buying Signals: Southern California Edison

Research date: September 2026

Executive Briefing

Southern California Edison’s clearest immediate opening is a live request for offers for long-duration energy storage (LDES) and clean-firm resources (CFR). Eligible developers and project sponsors can bid directly through PowerAdvocate by September 30, 2026. Equipment suppliers, EPC firms and integrators generally need to work through an eligible sponsor rather than treat the solicitation as a direct route.

SCE’s proposed advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) 2.0 program is the most important early-stage technology development. The utility proposes to replace or add approximately 5.7 million meters and add new communications, software, analytics and grid-edge capabilities. The $1.865 billion program remains under California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) review, with a decision targeted for Q3 2027. Vendors can build account positions around interoperability, lifecycle cost, cybersecurity and integration, but no AMI-specific vendor-input process or open technology competition has been verified. SCE also plans a future competitive package for third-party installation of standard residential and commercial meters, subject to approval and package issuance.

An agriculture/industrial energy-efficiency RFP is also listed as upcoming, although its tentative August 2026 release has passed. Elsewhere, major activity should not be mistaken for open work. The Rolling Clean Energy RFO remains active for proposals already under evaluation or negotiation, but eligibility for new offers is unresolved. Several other technology programs are incumbent-controlled, already in implementation or lack a visible package.

Main takeaway: Act immediately where a verified bid or qualification route exists, build AMI positioning before requirements harden, and monitor major implementation programs for specific reopening events rather than assuming visible spending equals accessible work.

Top Commercial Signals

• Live LDES and Clean-Firm RFO

  Stage: Vendor Evaluation
  Commercial motion: COMPETE

  Who should care
  Long-duration storage and clean-firm developers, eligible project sponsors, storage integrators and EPC firms

  What’s happening
  SCE launched its 2026 Long Duration Energy Storage–Clean Firm Resources RFO on September 11. Offers are due September 30, with a shortlist scheduled for November 18 and contract execution planned on a rolling basis. The solicitation responds to a CPUC procurement requirement and is the report’s clearest immediate direct-bid opportunity. SCE has not publicly stated its exact megawatt allocation, so the statewide requirement should not be treated as SCE-specific volume. Merrimack Energy appears as a solicitation contact, though its precise role is unverified.

  Commercial opening
  Eligible resource developers and project sponsors can bid directly through PowerAdvocate event 243310 and must register under the proposing parent company. Equipment, integration and EPC vendors generally need a sponsor-led or partner-led route.

• AMI 2.0 Technology Architecture

  Stage: Solution Exploration
  Commercial motion: SHAPE

  Who should care
  AMI OEMs, communications providers, software and data platforms, systems integrators, grid-edge and OT cybersecurity vendors

  What’s happening
  SCE proposes an AMI 2.0 architecture covering approximately 5.7 million replacement or additional meters, mesh, cellular and satellite communications, software, analytics and grid-edge capabilities. The $1.865 billion program includes a $444.6 million capitalized-software forecast. CPUC review is examining technology choice and fair competition, and a decision is targeted for Q3 2027. The architecture remains unsettled, but no AMI-specific process for vendor input or open technology competition has been publicly verified. SCE cites rising AMI 1.0 failures and support expected to end in 2035.

  Commercial opening
  The current opening is account development and shaping only. General SCE engagement and applicable innovation channels may provide ways to build the account, but no AMI-specific access channel, competitive package or prime vendor has been verified; remaining technology scope is unknown.

• Planned AMI 2.0 Meter Installation Procurement

  Stage: Solution Exploration
  Commercial motion: SHAPE

  Who should care
  Utility field-service contractors, meter installers, deployment and logistics firms, workforce providers and deployment-QA specialists

  What’s happening
  SCE says it will competitively select third-party vendors to install standard residential and commercial AMI 2.0 meters, while retaining complex and high-voltage installations for its own crews. The planned deployment covers millions of meters, with readiness deployment expected in late 2028 and mass rollout from 2029 through 2033. The external scope is explicit, but procurement has not begun and remains contingent on CPUC approval and future package issuance. The installation-package budget has not been separately stated.

  Commercial opening
  The current opening is qualification and account development, not bidding. Vendors can register through SCE’s supplier system and prepare for a future Ariba invitation. No incumbent or active installation package has been identified.

• Agriculture and Industrial Efficiency RFP

  Stage: Solution Exploration
  Commercial motion: SHAPE

  Who should care
  Energy-efficiency program implementers, industrial and agricultural engineering firms, load-analytics and measurement-and-verification providers

  What’s happening
  SCE’s third-party energy-efficiency page lists an agriculture/industrial program RFP as upcoming. The package would support third-party program design and implementation within SCE’s energy-efficiency portfolio. Prospective bidders must register in PEPMA and SAP Ariba before SCE issues invitations. The page’s tentative August 2026 release date has passed, however, and the RFP had not been issued by the September 22 research cut-off. The delay makes timing confidence moderate. SCE targets at least 60% third-party operation of its efficiency portfolio.

  Commercial opening
  Registration and account preparation are available now through PEPMA and SAP Ariba. The RFP itself is not active, no incumbent is identified, and the current route remains shaping and qualification ahead of a future invitation.

Also on our radar

We identified eight additional Commercial Landscape signals that may become actionable if specific sourcing, expansion, rebid, replacement or partner events occur.

• Rolling Clean Energy RFO
• Grid-enhancing transmission projects
• Early Fault Detection
• Wildfire enterprise systems
• Network orchestration
• SF₆-free switchgear
• Distribution-planning software
• Grid cybersecurity

The full report includes NewGrowth's assessment of the current commercial opening for each area and the specific events that would make it more actionable.

How to read Utility Buying Signals

NewGrowth Utility Buying Signals are based on public-source research, with priority given to utility filings, regulatory proceedings, procurement materials, planning documents and other primary sources.

We distinguish between Buying Signals, where a specific commercial opening or credible vendor action is visible, and Commercial Landscape Signals, which provide useful context but do not yet establish an actionable opportunity.

Public sourcing information can be incomplete, particularly for private or invitation-only procurement. The absence of a public signal does not mean that no utility spending exists.

Commercial motions

1. INFLUENCE: Frame the problem and desired outcomes.

2. SHAPE: Help define requirements, architecture and sourcing assumptions before they harden.

3. COMPETE: Respond to formal evaluation and procurement.

4. CLOSE: Reduce risk and support final selection.

5. DELIVER: Turn implementation into successful proof.

6. EXPAND: Grow into additional scope, sites or phases.

From the NewGrowth Engine

Utility buying does not begin with the RFP. NewGrowth helps utility vendors connect market evidence to the right positioning, content and commercial action across the buying journey.

The commercial motions framework above comes from the NewGrowth Engine for Utility Vendors. Learn more about it here.

For help turning utility-market intelligence into sharper positioning, content and pursuit strategy, contact:

Bart King
Founder and Principal
Bart.King@4newgrowth.com
706-340-3140

Disclaimer: This report is provided for informational and commercial-planning purposes only. It is based on publicly available information believed to be reliable at the time of research, but New Growth Communications does not guarantee its completeness or continued accuracy. Procurement status, eligibility, timing and requirements may change. Vendors should verify current information directly with the utility or relevant procurement authority before acting.