Arizona Public Service announces goal of 100 percent clean, carbon-free electricity by 2050

Arizona Public Service announced Wednesday the goal of delivering 100 percent clean, carbon-free electricity to its customers by 2050.

The goal includes a target of 65 percent clean energy and 45 percent renewable energy by 2030. APS plans to eliminate all coal-fired generation by 2031.

“We see incredible things ahead for Arizona, and are excited to power our state’s future with electricity that is 100 percent clean,” APS Chairman and CEO Jeff Guldner said. “We’re starting from an energy mix that is 50 percent clean today, including energy efficiency and electricity from one of the nation’s largest solar fleets and the country’s most powerful carbon-free and clean energy resource – the Palo Verde Generating Station.”

Investments in renewables resources and developing technologies, nuclear power from the Palo Verde Generating Station and energy efficiency programs and other customer programs play a significant role in the company’s plans for how it will meet the goal. APS also expects to use existing resources, including some natural gas, in the near term. Other elements of the plan included continued grid modernization, energy storage, electrification of various economic sectors, regional and market-based solutions and collaboration with regulators and stakeholders.

“A number of major U.S. utilities have made commitments to carbon-free by 2050, but Arizona Public Service stands out in the crowd,” Julia Hamm, president and CEO of the Smart Electric Power Alliance, said. “While any carbon reduction commitment is laudable, APS is among the very small handful of utilities that have coupled their commitment with an aggressive but reasonable interim target and specific actions that demonstrate meaningful progress.”