APS serves about 1.4 million homes and businesses in 11 of Arizona’s 15 counties, and is a leader in delivering reliable, affordable and clean energy in the Southwest. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the principal subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (NYSE: PNW).
Header
APS Customers Make History With Record Peak Energy Use Three Years in a Row
For the third consecutive year, Arizona Public Service (APS) customers made history. They set a new peak energy demand record by using 8,527 megawatts (MW) of power on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 between 5 and 6 p.m., according to preliminary figures. Peak demand is the period of time when customer energy use is at its highest and the record was set on this summer’s hottest day so far, reaching 118 degrees in Phoenix. APS crews across the state worked year-round to prepare the energy grid for this demand and we’re recognizing their efforts today on National Lineworker Appreciation Day, observed July 10.
The back-to-back-to-back records come as no surprise to APS’s resource management team, which forecasts energy needs years in advance and secures reliable resources to keep customers safe and comfortable during extreme heat and to meet rising demand. Multiple factors are contributing to the need to expand Arizona’s power supply, including increasing temperatures, more people moving to the state and a booming economy. APS invests more than $2 billion a year in upgrades, operations and maintenance of the electrical system to provide customers with top-tier reliability.
“Arizona is growing fast, and APS is building out the energy grid to keep pace,” said Brian Cole, APS Vice President of Resource Management. “Our team monitors customer needs by the minute, plans decades ahead and covers everything in between. From 24/7 nuclear to flexible natural gas, coal, solar, wind, battery storage and our partnerships with customers – we’re delivering reliable service with balanced resources at the lowest cost possible.”
How did we get here? APS customer energy records since the 1970s
By 2038, APS customers will require more than 13,000 MW of energy to serve peak needs, a staggering 60% increase over today’s peak demand which took APS 140 years to reach since it first began serving customers. For perspective, one MW of energy is enough to serve about 160 Arizona homes. With more than 38,000 miles of power lines, the APS energy grid has significantly evolved over time to adapt to society’s changing needs, like the widespread adoption of air conditioning and electric household appliances in the 1980s and today’s rapid advancements in technology and manufacturing.
Picture this, in 1979, APS served about 387,000 homes and businesses; today, APS serves about 1.4 million. The graph below displays customer peak energy demand for each decade from the 1970s to now.
Other peak records this decade were 2024’s 8,210 MW, 2023’s 8,162 MW and 2020’s 7,660 MW.
Ways to save money on your energy bill
While APS is well prepared to serve customers throughout summer, hot weather can impact your energy bill. Here are tips to help you manage your cooling costs and save money:
- APS customers have rate plan options. Find out which plan can save you the most money by looking at the Monthly Plan Comparison on your bill, logging in to your account or going to aps.com/compare. Budget Billing can also help take out the swings of summer and winter billing by averaging the cost of your energy use so you pay a more predictable amount every month.
- For those on Time-of-Use 4pm-7pm Weekdays and Time-of-Use 4pm-7pm Weekdays with Demand Charge plans, pre-cool your home. Set your thermostat a few degrees lower than normal before 4 p.m. and then a few degrees higher during the period of 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Think 1, 2, 3 and turn up your thermostat a few degrees. For every one degree you raise your thermostat, you can save 2-3% on energy cooling costs. When on vacation, turn it up more.
- Earn bill credits. Join APS Cool Rewards (residential) or APS Peak Solutions (business) – programs that reward customers for conserving energy during times when usage is highest.
- Close curtains and blinds during the day to block out the sun and heat, especially if your windows are older and less energy efficient.
- Use fans to feel up to five degrees cooler. Set ceiling fans to run counterclockwise and remember fans cool people, not rooms, so turn them off when you leave.
Related stories
7/1/2025
Celebrate with Stars, Stripes and Safety: Tips from APS for the Fourth of July
5/8/2024
APS & Local Nonprofits Offer Heat Relief Programs
10/9/2023
Summer 2023: Resilient Energy Grid Stands Up to Historic Heat Wave and Demand
Stay up to date with our social channels
Newsroom
View up to date news, articles and stories related to APS in the community.
Copyright © 2025 APS. All rights reserved.
