4 Arizona grid improvement projects get $15.6M in state funding

PHOENIX — Four grid improvement projects were awarded $15.6 million of state funding on Thursday to reduce power outages and lower energy bills across Arizona.

More than 1.6 million of the state’s utility customers and businesses will benefit by way of the investment in the grid modernization and resilience projects, according to Gov. Katie Hobbs.

According to a news release, the four awarded projects are expected to:

• Reduce power outages for nearly 290,000 Arizona customers
• Reduce wildfire risk by 20% in wildfire-project regions
• Enhance the grid’s capacity to withstand extreme weather events and wildfires, reducing outage impacts on local businesses, households, schools, hospitals and critical infrastructure
• Enhance and help identify future decisions related to grid resilience
• Extend equipment lifespan, reducing the financial strain on Arizona residents’ energy bills.

“I’m investing in Arizona’s affordable energy future and strengthening our energy system because it’s critical to the success of our families and businesses,” Hobbs said in a press release.

“These projects will significantly boost grid reliability, decrease power outages, reduce wildfire and extreme weather risks and lower costs for Arizonans. Investments in Arizona energy are investments in growing our economy, creating more jobs and ensuring opportunity for all Arizonans. I will continue to strengthen Arizona’s affordable energy economy so Arizona can thrive now and in the future.”

The funding will be disbursed through the Governor’s Office of Resiliency’s Arizona Grid Resilience Grant Program.

Arizonans in both rural and urban communities will benefit from the four projects.

Which 4 Arizona grid improvement projects will receive state funding?

The first round of projects to see funding via the Arizona Grid Resilience Grant Program include the Rural Arizona Cooperative Grid Hardening Project, the Strengthening Arizona’s Grid Utilizing Advanced Resilience Operations project (“SAGUARO”), the Ligurta Substation Modernization Project- Grid Resilience Grant and the Wildfire Mitigation and Grid Resilience Project.

The first round of projects part of the Arizona Grid Resilience Grant Program are expected to be completed by the end of 2027. Additional projects are expected to receive funding as more money becomes available.

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