Future energy needs

New generation capacity will eventually be needed to meet growth in customer demand and replace existing resources that are retired or expire. This need can be met in a number of ways, including:

Construction of new conventional generation at existing or new sites
Additional renewable generation projects
Energy efficiency
Power purchase agreements
Acquisition of ownership interests in existing generation facilities

Addressing the need

To maintain high levels of reliable service, SRP has also identified the need for local generation to provide voltage support and help to ensure system reliability. The magnitude and timing of this need will be dependent on economic recovery.

To meet these anticipated future needs, SRP identified Abel as a possible site for natural gas fueled peaking generation.

You can also view information from SRP's resource planning workshops.

Forecasting and planning

SRP develops its load forecast using population growth figures and customer energy use information. The forecast is validated every year with comparisons to actual system data.

SRP considers a wide variety of resources when developing its Resource Plan, including power purchase agreements, partnership ownership, renewable resources, energy efficiency and construction of new facilities.

Read more about SRP's sustainability efforts.

Purchased power vs. building new generation

SRP obtains power from a number of sources. SRP owns or is a participant owner in 11 major generating stations. SRP also buys power as needed on the wholesale market and through contractual agreements.

SRP is using a combination of efforts to meet future energy demand. Purchasing the output from plants owned by others always is an option and SRP is actively pursuing that option. However, generation located near the load helps provide power where and when it is needed and also provides voltage support, which is required for reliability. SRP conducted a rigorous study of demand, technologies and locations in determining the need for new power plants.

The electricity produced by any SRP generation is used to meet our customers' electricity needs, including our customers in Pinal County.