Mesa receiving clean energy from new SRP solar power plant
Posted 12/21/20
The city of Mesa is among 11 of Salt River Project’s largest energy consumers who now have the ability to lower overall carbon emissions by receiving a portion of their energy from the …
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Mesa receiving clean energy from new SRP solar power plant
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About city of Mesa
The city of Mesa’s estimated population is more than 518,000 within an incorporated area of approximately 133 square miles.
Total land area encompasses 182 square miles.
The city ranks as the 35th most populous city in the U.S., larger than the cities of Atlanta, Miami, St. Louis, Minneapolis and Pittsburgh.
The area’s economy is driven by four major industries: health care, education, aerospace and tourism.
Mesa was recently named among the 2020 SRP Champions of Energy Efficiency. The city was recognized for updating the lighting and air-conditioning at Red Mountain Center and new LED lighting at Fire Station 202.
About Salt River Project
SRP is a community-based, not-for-profit public power utility and a provider of electricity in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, serving more than one million customers. SRP is also a supplier of water, delivering about 800,000 acre-feet annually to municipal, urban and agricultural water users.
The city of Mesa is among 11 of Salt River Project’s largest energy consumers who now have the ability to lower overall carbon emissions by receiving a portion of their energy from the sun.
SRP has announced the commissioning of Saint Solar, the newest 100-megawatt solar plant. As part of SRP’s ongoing commitment to support customers in achieving their sustainability goals, the new solar plant was initiated by SRP’s Sustainable Energy Offering, according to a release.
“The city of Mesa is always looking for ways to be a little greener,” Mesa Mayor John Giles said in the release. “Thanks to SRP’s Sustainable Energy Offering, we’ll be able to tap into our generous Arizona sunshine and add more solar power to our overall energy mix. Using less coal and natural gas for power is good for the state and for the planet.”
In addition to Mesa, participating customers originally announced in 2018 as the first phase of SRP’s Sustainable Energy Offering include Mesa Public Schools, CMC Steel Arizona and Walmart.
“Our partnerships and projects with SRP always look toward a sustainable future and investing in SRP’s Sustainable Energy Offering was an easy decision,” Mesa City Manager Chris Brady said in the release. “As a municipality, we are always looking at the best ways we can be responsible with our taxpayer dollars. Energy costs are a big part of our monthly expenses, and green, solar energy sources can help fight rising power prices.”
Air Products, Albertson’s Companies Inc., Freeport-McMoRan, city of Chandler, city of Phoenix, Cyrus One and Digital Realty are the other large SRP customers participating in the Sustainable Energy Offering.
“From the beginning of this process, discussing an innovative energy offering with a diverse group of customers, to now, experiencing how we jointly take a step closer to achieving our renewable energy goals, is something we recognize is extremely impactful,” SRP Associate General Manager and Chief Customer Executive Jim Pratt said in the release. “This is just the beginning of our collective sustainability journey and we are glad to celebrate major milestones applauding those taking part.”
Saint Solar, in Coolidge, was built, owned and operated by a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, a generator of renewable energy from the sun and wind. The project represents an estimated investment of approximately $127 million in Arizona.
“We are proud to partner once again with SRP to bring cost-effective, solar energy to its customers,” NextEra Energy Resources Senior Vice President of Development Matt Handel said in the release. “This project will generate clean energy, bring customers closer to their renewable energy goals and at the same time provide significant tax revenue to the community for years to come.”
Saint Solar is one of three new Arizona-based solar resources SRP announced it will add as part of its Phase One and Phase Two Sustainable Energy Offering. Earlier this year, SRP announced a total of 33 companies signed up to receive approximately 300 MW of solar energy from these new solar resources, decreasing carbon dioxide emissions by about 1.6 million tons.
In addition to adding 1,000 MW of new utility-scale to its system by the end of fiscal year 2025, these renewable energy resources contribute to SRP’s 2035 goals to reduce carbon intensity by more than 60% in 2035 and by 90% in 2050 from 2005 levels.
