Phoenix, Ariz. – The Arizona Corporation Commission held its 13^th Biennial Transmission Assessment Workshop 1 on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.  During the Workshop, Arizona electric utilities including APS, TEP, UNSE, AEPCO, and SRP delivered presentations of their Ten-Year Plans before the Commission.  The plans include new, in progress, and completed projects in the expansion of Arizona’s electric grid.  Every other year, Arizona’s electric utilities are expected to conduct studies and analyses to identify electric generation and distribution needs to ensure the reliability and integrity of the state’s transmission systems. All the utilities concluded in their presentations, that existing and planned transmission plans are currently sufficient for powering homes and businesses.   

Nearly all Arizona electric utilities are planning for a demand to balloon over the next decade and have already made substantial investments for the new generation.  Here’s a snapshot of the additions and upgrades include in the Ten Year plans:

APS: 

50 Transmission projects - 4 Completed projects; 22 Planned projects; 24 Conceptual/TBD projects5 Generation Interconnection Projects totaling an additional 1,549 MW

TEP:

33 Transmission projects - 1 Completed project; 20 Planned projects; 12 Conceptual/TBD projects

UNSE:

16 Transmission projects - 11 Planned Transmission and Reactive projects; 1 Planned Generation project; 4 Conceptual Transmission and Reactive projects

AEPCO:

16 transmission projects completed/planned/under construction

SRP:

27 total transmission projects – 4 Completed projects; 21 new Planned projects; 15 Revised projects; 12 Conceptual/TBD projects

Historically, Arizona has had the benefit of a reliable and affordable grid with utilities continuing to see and meet record peak demands during the summer.  “Reliability is so important to Arizona. I heard from voters on the campaign trail who are concerned that as these data centers are coming in, that the lights will still come on,” said Commissioner Rachel Walden.

“Arizona is a dynamic state with a lot of energy, and a lot of our neighboring states don’t have what we have, a reliable grid with affordable costs,” said Chair Kevin Thompson.

More information is available at https://edocket.azcc.gov, Docket # E-99999A-23-0016.