The U.S. Senate has approved a bipartisan measure to support a clean-energy hydropower project on the Salt River. Sponsored by Senators Mark Kelly, Kyrsten Sinema, and Representatives David Schweikert and Greg Stanton, the legislation now awaits President Biden’s signature.
The bill facilitates the project by transferring federal land from the U.S. Forest Service to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, clearing a key hurdle for the Salt River Project (SRP) to proceed with its plans.
A Vision for Renewable Energy
SRP proposes building a new, smaller dam downstream from the Roosevelt Dam on the Salt River. The dam would create a reservoir, enabling a pumped-storage hydropower system. During periods of low energy demand, water would be pumped back into Lake Roosevelt. When demand peaks, the water would flow through hydroelectric turbines, generating renewable energy.
The proposed system could supply power to 220,000–450,000 homes for 10 hours during each reservoir refill cycle. By using excess solar energy to pump water back into the reservoir during the day, the system maximizes renewable energy usage while ensuring power availability at night.
Project Scope and Timeline
SRP aims to begin construction in 2027, with the facility becoming operational by 2033. The project includes:
- Building a downstream dam above Apache Lake.
- Installing power lines to connect to SRP’s 500-kilovolt Coronado-Silver King transmission line near State Routes 188 and 288.
The facility will also integrate seamlessly with SRP’s broader shift from coal-fired power plants to clean energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower.
Economic and Environmental Benefits
The pumped-storage hydropower system will strengthen Arizona’s energy grid, reduce costs for families, and enhance grid reliability. Senator Kelly emphasized, “This is about using technology to make our energy more reliable and affordable.”
Representative Stanton added, “Pumped-storage hydropower provides greater flexibility and improves reliability in our energy grid while cutting utility costs for Arizona families and businesses.”
Leveraging Existing Expertise
SRP has decades of experience operating smaller pumped-storage systems at the Horse Mesa and Mormon Flat dams, which currently produce 150 megawatts of pump-back hydropower. The new system on the Salt River is expected to add up to 2,000 megawatts of energy storage capacity, significantly expanding Arizona’s renewable energy portfolio.
A Sustainable Future
SRP’s current hydropower capacity supports 60,000 homes with 265 megawatts of power generated at four dams. The new system represents a crucial step in phasing out coal-fired plants and integrating renewable sources like solar and wind.
SRP describes the project as a game-changer: “When electricity demand is lower and SRP has excess supply, turbines spin backward to pump water back into the upper reservoir for reuse. As SRP adds more solar to the grid, this system will balance supply and demand, ensuring consistent power availability.”
The Salt River hydropower project showcases a commitment to innovation and sustainability, aligning Arizona’s energy infrastructure with the needs of a greener future.