In alignment with APS’s Coal Communities Transition, a $144 million proposal focused on supporting coal communities including the Navajo Nation, the plan toward seasonal operations at Four Corners Power Plant takes into consideration reliability, customer affordability and support for the Navajo Nation.
By moving to seasonal operations, Four Corners will become a more flexible resource that supports increasing amounts of clean energy, helping to compensate for the intermittent output of renewable resources. This change also helps ensure reliability of a critical energy source while reducing operations and maintenance costs.
Under seasonal operation, one of the plant’s two remaining units will operate only throughout the summer season of June through October when customers’ energy needs are the highest across the region. By contrast, the plant’s other unit will continue generating power year-round, subject to market conditions and planned maintenance outages.
The transition to seasonal operations will not require layoffs or furloughs of APS employees.
APS serves about 1.3 million homes and businesses in 11 of Arizona’s 15 counties, and is a leader in delivering affordable, clean and reliable energy in the Southwest. The company is committed to serving customers with 100% clean power by 2050. As owner and operator of Palo Verde Generating Station, the nation’s largest producer of carbon-free electricity, and with one of the country’s most substantial renewable energy portfolios, APS’s current energy mix is 50% clean. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the principal subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (NYSE: PNW).
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations. These forward-looking statements are identified by words such as “estimates,” “plans” and similar words. Because actual results may differ materially from expectations, we caution readers not to place undue reliance on these statements. A number of factors could cause future results to differ materially from outcomes currently expected or sought by us. A discussion of some of these risks and uncertainties is contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and is available on our website at pinnaclewest.com, which readers should review carefully before placing any reliance on our forward-looking statements or disclosures. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by applicable law.