Tucson Electric Power (TEP), one of Arizona’s largest utilities serving 415,000 customers in the Tucson metropolitan area, now joins Arizona’s two other major utilities—Arizona Public Service and the Salt River Project—in announcing robust sustainability goals. In its latest Integrated Resource Plan, filed with the Arizona Corporation Commission on June 26, TEP calls for a “dramatic expansion of clean energy resources,” with 70 percent of its generation capacity projected to come from solar, wind, and energy storage systems by 2035. TEP calls its plan an “ambitious, realistic vision for a sustainable energy future.”
According to TEP, the move toward more storage and renewable generation was inspired by both consumer demand and economic considerations. As TEP spokesman Joseph Barrios explained, "We know our customers count on us to make smart energy decisions, providing more sustainable service that remains reliable and affordable. The costs of investment in solar and wind resources continues to decrease while energy storage technologies are projected to become more reliable and cost effective over time.”
In addition to reducing carbon emissions by 80 percent, the goals outlined in TEP’s latest IRP will reduce water consumption by 70 percent. The plan also includes a timetable for closing two coal-fired power plants in the next 12 years—a move that will leave Arizona with just two coal plants after 2040.
The announcement by TEP, coupled with announcements earlier this year by APS and SRP on their own sustainability goals, will have a dramatic impact on Arizona’s ratepayers and the environment. Even though the Arizona Corporation Commission has yet to act on updates to Arizona’s Energy Rules, Arizona’s three largest private utilities are now forging ahead toward a more sustainable and renewable energy future for Arizona.