SRP Signs 3,000‑MW Solar Deal with NextEra to Power 600k Homes by 2034

Context: SRP, Arizona’s largest public power utility, serves over 1 million customers in the Phoenix metro area. The utility already operates more than 3,000 megawatts of carbon‑free resources, including 1,500 MW of solar and 1,570 MW of battery storage. Growth in residential and commercial load has pushed SRP to seek additional clean generation to keep rates stable and maintain reliability.

Key Facts: Under the new agreement, SRP will procure 3,000 MW of solar capacity to be delivered by the end of 2034. The rollout is planned at a rate of about 500 MW per year from 2029 through 2034. Bobby Olsen, SRP’s associate general manager and chief power system executive, said the utility looks forward to working with NextEra to add the needed solar energy at the pace required to meet increasing customer demand. SRP currently has more than 3,000 MW of carbon‑free resources, comprising 1,500 MW of solar and 1,570 MW of battery storage, which already support its grid. The deal adds to the over 1,000 MW of solar that NextEra has already built for SRP across five projects.

What It Means: Adding 3,000 MW of solar will increase SRP’s solar share from 1,500 MW to 4,500 MW, tripling its solar capacity. Combined with existing battery storage, the utility can shift more solar generation to peak periods, reducing reliance on fossil‑fuel plants. The deal also supports Arizona’s state‑wide goal to expand renewable energy while accommodating population growth projected to exceed 8 million by 2035. Environmental analysts note that the additional solar could avoid millions of tons of CO₂ emissions annually, though SRP has not released specific figures.

What to watch next: Regulatory approvals for the solar sites, construction timelines, and how the added solar and storage will affect SRP’s wholesale power prices and carbon emissions over the next decade.