KEY TAKEAWAYS
- SRP is doubling its system capacity using a balanced mix of natural gas, renewables and storage to ensure reliable, affordable power as Arizona’s energy demand surges.
- As a not‑for‑profit with the state’s lowest major‑utility rates, SRP is investing in flexible, sustainable technologies to support Arizona’s rapid growth and long‑term grid reliability.
SRP has served Arizona families, businesses and communities with dependable power for more than 120 years.
From the first hydroelectric dams in the early 1900s, SRP has always used the leading technology of the era to support the Valley’s development. As Arizona surged through periods of rapid expansion, we adapted our system to match the moment. Mid‑century, post-war growth required new generating stations that doubled the Valley’s capacity, while the 1970s and 80s brought modern coal‑fired plants and the Palo Verde nuclear plant that provided reliability in a quickly urbanizing region depended on. In the 21st century, SRP again evolved, adding wind, solar and battery storage to meet energy demand with increasingly sustainable resources without sacrificing reliability.
Throughout Arizona’s history, the pattern has been consistent: As the state grows and its needs change, SRP deploys the technology of the time to keep the region moving forward.
A balanced approach to keep the lights on amid record growth
Today, Arizona stands at a new inflection point. The Southwest, and Maricopa County in particular, is experiencing extraordinary energy demand growth driven by advanced manufacturing and data centers. Projections from our Integrated System Plan show that SRP will need to more than double the capacity of its power system over the next decade to maintain reliability and support this growth.
We will accomplish this through an “all of the above” approach to power generation, tapping the most efficient and cost‑effective mix of energy resources, including natural gas, renewables like solar and wind, and storage, to keep our grid strong.
Quick‑start, flexible natural gas is a proven technology that helps protect Arizonans from outages and higher bills as we transition to more renewable energy and advance toward our goal of achieving net‑zero carbon emissions by 2050.
SRP now has more than 3,000 megawatts of carbon‑free resources, including nuclear, solar and wind, serving customers. Our battery storage systems can support more than 250,000 homes for up to four hours, and pumped storage hydropower can power over 38,000 homes for up to 10 hours. We will continue to expand renewable resources while adding battery and long‑duration storage, including pumped hydro.
The publicly elected SRP Board of Directors recently approved converting the coal-fired Coronado Generating Station and Springerville Generating Station Unit 4 to natural gas. This preserves the plants’ capacity — enough to serve more than 240,000 homes — while supporting our sustainability goals and helping the economies of both cities. In addition, SRP and our neighboring utilities, APS and TEP, are exploring the feasibility of adding new nuclear generation in Arizona in the future.
A grid positioned for the future
SRP is a not‑for‑profit with no investors. We maintain the lowest rates of any major utility in the state, while consistently ranking among the top utilities nationally for reliability*.
To meet expected demand growth, the Valley needs realistic, reliable and affordable energy solutions. Amid a period of record‑breaking expansion, SRP’s diversified mix of flexible, dependable and renewable resources will keep Arizona moving forward.
*Department of Energy EIA-861M (formerly EIA-826) Reports for 12 months ending July 31, 2025, for 16 utilities (including SRP) across seven states that SRP utilizes for benchmarking purposes.