Arizona Public Service signs agreement for seasonal operations at Four Corners Power Plant

Arizona Public Service, an owner of the Four Corners Power Plant, is moving forward with plans to operate the plant seasonally starting in the fall of 2023.

APS struck a deal with the other owners of the coal-fired plant, Navajo Transitional Energy Company (NTEC), Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM), Salt River Project (SRP), and Tucson Electric Power (TEP). The agreement follows a transfer of ownership shares from PNM Resources to NTEC in 2024.

The seasonal operation schedule will reduce carbon emissions while ensuring continued service for customers during Arizona’s notoriously hot summer months. The shift to seasonal operations will reduce annual carbon emissions by an estimated 20-25 percent. APS has committed to achieving 100 percent clean energy by 2050. The Four Corners Power Plant has already cut annual nitrogen oxide emissions by 88 percent since the installation of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) equipment on Unit 4 and Unit 5 in 2018.

“Four Corners has provided reliable and affordable electricity for almost 60 years, fostering economic growth and prosperity in cities and towns throughout the region,” Jacob Tetlow, senior vice president of operations at APS, said. “With seasonal operations, the plant will continue to be a critical source of reliable electricity when our customers need it most and enable a responsible transition to a cleaner energy future.”

The seasonal schedule will continue while APS transitions to its planned exit from coal by 2031. The transition to seasonal operations will not require layoffs or furloughs of APS employees.

APS, based in Phoenix, serves about 1.3 million homes and businesses in 11 of Arizona’s 15 counties.