Arizona Utilities Consider New Nuclear Power Plant Amid Growing Energy Demand
As Arizona’s population and energy needs surge, three prominent utilities are taking steps towards potentially establishing a new nuclear power facility. Arizona Public Service, Salt River Project, and Tucson Electric Power are spearheading this initiative by seeking a federal grant to explore the feasibility of such a project.
Recognizing Maricopa County’s rapid expansion as one of the nation’s fastest growing regions, these companies are evaluating diverse energy solutions to meet future demands. The proposed three-year grant is intended to facilitate initial site exploration and groundwork for a possible new power plant.
According to Brian Cole, Vice President of Resource Management at APS, advancements in technology since the inception of the Palo Verde Generating Station nearly four decades ago present new possibilities. “They are a little bit more flexible than the ones that we have today, so they’re very capable of putting out 24/7 energy every day of the year other than refueling outages. But they also have a little bit of flexibility to be able to turn up and down in order to balance things out,” he explained.
Cole projects that if the initiative proceeds, any new nuclear facility would likely not be operational until the 2040s, reflecting the long-term planning and development required for such undertakings.
