By

Monica D. Spencer, Reporter

Sep 13, 2024

Electrical District No. 3 is hoping a federal program will help it add 100 megawatts of renewable energy to Maricopa’s portfolio by the company’s 100th anniversary in 2026.

As a member of the Arizona Electric Power Cooperative, ED3 announced today it will be among a handful of recipients for $485 million granted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as part of its Empowering Rural America Program.

The money will be used for members of AEPCO to “transform their power portfolios with large-scale investments in renewable power,” according to a press release.

For ED3, that means participation in a couple of upcoming solar and battery energy storage projects over the next three years to add 75 megawatts of solar and 340 megawatt hours of battery storage. That’s enough to power to run at least 13,000 homes.

While the company did not name any specific projects, this likely includes recently announced Copia Power, an 1,100-acre solar farm in Hidden Valley, and Rainbow Valley Energy Center, a solar power facility and battery storage system near Mobile.

ED3 Board Chair Kelly Anderson called the collaboration “critical” to the power company’s ability to support the city’s economic development while respecting its agricultural history.

The utility estimates these projects will reduce pollution by more than 1 million tons in carbon dioxide emissions — a more than 70% reduction — without sacrificing electricity reliability or affordability.

Monica D. Spencer, Reporter

Monica is a business and development reporter for InMaricopa. Previously, she worked as a photographer for Mesa Community College’s student newspaper The Mesa Legend and interned with The Arizona Republic’s breaking news desk and visuals department. Reach her at monica@inmaricopa.com or on Twitter @monicadspencer.