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Striking Statistic: Arizona Ranked 7th Nationally in Electric Grid Reliability; No Major Power Outages for Customers of Regulated Electric Utilities During this Year’s Historic Heatwave

Oct 8, 2024, 18:14 by Nicole Garcia

Phoenix, Ariz. – Arizona is now ranked 7th in the nation for electric grid reliability.   In a state that has over 100 days of 100-degree heat, millions of people running air conditioners, and record-breaking peak demand, this ranking is impressive and important.

The most recent reports from U.S. News & World Report and Climate Central, a nonprofit research and communications group, shows Arizona ranks 7th in the nation for states having the most reliable power grid.  In fact, Climate Central’s research indicates Arizona experienced only six power outages caused by extreme weather over the last 24 years, well below the national average.  The same study shows that our neighboring states, California and New Mexico experienced 145 power outages and nine power outages in the same time period, respectively.

The Arizona Corporation Commission works vigorously to ensure that our regulated utilities are prepared to produce enough electricity to meet peak demand during the hot summer months. This summer, there were ZERO major power outages reported – a major power outage is defined as an outage that affects at least 50,000 customers or interrupt service of 300 megawatts or more.  Arizona utilities accurately anticipated reaching record high peak demands this year and were successful in expanding their capacities and delivering more than 23,000 MW of electricity to meet daily summer demands. Arizona regulated utilities delivered reliable power in the face of excessive temperatures and an historic 113 consecutive days stretch of temperatures peaking at or above 100 degrees in Phoenix.

The ACC has the difficult task of balancing rising fuel costs, maintaining grid reliability, and minimizing the financial burden to customers in our state.  The resiliency of the electric grid can be a matter of life or death during the summer months, and it has been the priority of this Commission to ensure that the electric grids that serve our customers are resilient and reliable. 

Arizona Public Service Company (APS) and Salt River Project (SRP) both set new records for peak electricity demand on Sunday, August 4, 2024 between 5 and 6 p.m.  The high temperature in Phoenix on August 4 was 116 degrees.   

 

Company                  Highest Peak Demand to Date in 2024    Record High in 2023

APS                             8,212 MW on August 4, 2024                       8,162 MW

SRP                              8,219 MW on August 4, 2024                       8,163 MW

TEP/UNS                     2,917 MW on July 8, 2024                             2,969 MW     

 

The Commission remains committed to ensuring that regulated utilities remain proactive in maintaining the power grid throughout the year and that the infrastructure remains safe and dependable.

 

SOURCES: https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/weather-related-power-outages-rising

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/rankings/infrastructure/energy/power-grid-reliability