Trico Electric Cooperative is pleased by the decision of the Arizona Corporation Commission, approving Arizona Electric Power Cooperative’s (AEPCO) financing application for efficient, fast-ramping natural gas units at AEPCO’s existing Apache Generating Station. Trico has partnered with AEPCO to buy power from these units, and the decision will help Trico in its mission to provide sustainable and cost-effective energy solutions to our Members.  

Trico has set a goal of reducing its emissions by 50% by 2032, and we will achieve that goal by significantly increasing our solar generation resources. Trico recently commissioned our Chirreon Solar and Battery Facility (Chirreon) in Pinal County.  With Chirreon, our existing Avion Solar Facility near the Marana Airport, our SunFarm at our headquarters in Marana, and our portion of the Apache Solar Facility, we have over 25MW of solar generation capacity.  Trico also has 15MW of battery resources (at Chirreon) and expects to add another 25MW of battery capacity in 2023.  In the coming months, we expect to announce additional projects that will significantly expand our solar and battery resources.  

The newly approved gas units are vital to support this expansion of solar resources because they provide fast-ramping, all-hours reliability. Maintaining a diverse set of generation resources helps Trico maintain reliability, meet its emissions reductions goals, and keep costs down. These newly approved units are cost-effective, more efficient, and even have the ability to operate using green hydrogen as fuel, in the future.

We appreciate the work of AEPCO’s team and thank the Arizona Corporation Commission for supporting Arizona’s electric cooperatives. As always, Trico is dedicated to serving our Members with sustainable, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions.