The Grand Canyon State could have another source of nuclear power.

On Wednesday, the state's three major utilities announced they will work together to "explore" adding another nuclear power plant in Arizona, according to a press release.   

Arizona Public Service, Salt River Project and Tucson Electric Power made the announcement. 

“Energy demand in Arizona is increasing rapidly,” said Ted Geisler, APS president, in a press release. “To ensure a reliable and affordable electric supply for our customers, we are committed to maintaining a diverse energy mix."

Geisler said a new nuclear plant could take up to a decade to develop, which is why the effort is starting now.

In 2023, Arizona's total in-state electricity was generated mainly from 6 sources including natural gas, nuclear power, coal, solar energy, hydroelectric power and wind, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration website. 

 Palo Verde Generating Station in Tonapah is the second-largest nuclear power plant in the nation, the website said. 

The utilities have applied for a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to "begin preliminary exploration of a potential site" for an additional nuclear site.  If approved, the gran would give a three-year site selection process.

APS is part owner and operator of Palo Verde Generating Station, the three-reactor nuclear power plant about 50 miles west of the Valley. SRP also is a co-owner of the plan, along with El Paso Electric Co., Southern California Edison, PNM Resources, the Southern California Public Power Authority and the Los Angeles Departmetn of Water and Power.

“SRP is exploring all options to meet the growing energy needs of the Phoenix metropolitan area affordably, reliably and sustainably,” said Jim Pratt, SRP General Manager and CEO. “We appreciate the collaboration with our neighboring utilities to help determine the role new nuclear generation could play in powering Arizona’s future.”

Palo Verde's licenses for all three reactors will expire between 2045 and 2047, according to renewals from 2011. At that point, those reactors would have been operational for roughly 60 years.

Nuclear power has been a big portion of APS looking to produce carbon-free electricity by 2050.  SPR has similar goals to reduce its carbon emissions. While both are deploying solar, nuclear has remained a baseload power source, particular during Arizona's power hungry summers.

Officials said they would look at small modular reactors as well as large reactors, potentially generating between 300 and 1,400 megawatts. The larger figure is equal to about what one Palo Verde reactor is capable of producing.