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The Salt River Project (SRP) is a public utility that provides water and electricity to the Phoenix metropolitan area. In fact, SRP Phoenix is the largest provider of water to the city of Phoenix and one of the largest providers of electricity in Arizona. SRP Phoenix was created in 1903 to provide irrigation water to the Salt River Valley. Since then, the project has expanded to include power generation, flood control, and recreation.
History of SRP Phoenix
The Hohokam were the ancestors of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa and Gila River Indian communities. The Hohokam had built an extensive system of canals that spanned approximately 500 miles. Today, the SRP canal system closely follows many of the Hohokam’s original canals.
The Federal government passed the National Reclamation Act of 1902, which provided favorable government loans for reclamation projects. SRP’s precursor, the Salt River Valley Water Users’ Association, used these funds to become incorporated on February 7, 1903. Initially, the Association’s main projects were:
- Building the Roosevelt Dam; and
- Constructing and improving canals to bring water to people of the Valley.
In 1936, the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District was created, which is the entity within SRP that currently serves as an electrical utility to the Phoenix metropolitan area. As of 2007, SRP owns eleven electrical generation stations and seven hydroelectric plants. Also, SRP is a major provider of electrical and water service in the Phoenix area.
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SRP Phoenix Service Territory
The SRP Phoenix service territory is located in central Arizona in the Phoenix metropolitan area. It operates mainly in the south and east parts of the Valley. Also, SRP Phoenix serves the following cities: Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Scottsdale, Apache Junction, Peoria, Queen Creek, Avondale, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Guadalupe, and Tolleson.
Power Generation Stations
- Agua Fria Generating Station
- Coolidge Generating Station
- Coronado Generating Station
- Craig Generating Station
- Desert Basin Generating Station
- Four Corners Generating Station (owns 10%, operated by Arizona Public Service)
- Gila River Generating Station
- Hayden Generating Station
- Kyrene Generating Station
- Mesquite Generating Station
- Navajo Generating Station (owns 42.9%)
- Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station (owns 17.5%, operated by Arizona Public Service)
- Santan Generating Station
- Arizona Falls
SRP Phoenix – Solar Rate Plans
SRP offers four solar rate plans. Two of them are categorized as “Demand” plans and two are categorized as “Export” plans. The four solar rate plans are:
- Customer Generation Plan (E-27)
- Average Demand Plan (E-15)
- Time-of-Use Export Plan (E-13)
- Electric Vehicle Export Plan (E-14)
The Demand plans are the Customer Generation and Average Demand Plans. They have lower usage charges, but include a potentially expensive monthly demand charge. Thus, these plans are suited for customers who can keep their demand low by avoiding the simultaneous use of large appliances during On-Peak times. Further, these plans are suited for customers that keep their demand low automatically with a demand manager device. If demand is kept low, these plans offer the most savings to solar customers.
The Export plans are the Time-of-Use Export and Electric Vehicle Export Plans. They have higher usage charges and include a solar export credit of 2.81 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Further, these plans are suited for customers that use a large amount of electricity in their home. Also, they are suited for customers that want to use their large appliances simultaneously during On-Peak times. Since there is no demand charge with these Export plans, customers are not penalized for having a high demand of electricity.
For more information on this topic, see our page on the SRP Solar Rate Plans.
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SRP Phoenix – Rate Plans Before Solar
SRP Phoenix offers six rate plans for customers that do not have a solar panel system. They are:
- Time-of-Use Plan (E-26)
- EZ-3 Plan (E-21 and E-22)
- Residential Demand Plan Pilot (E-27 P)
- Electric Vehicle Plan (E-29)
- M-Power Plan (E-24)
- Basic Plan (E-23)
For more information on this topic, see our page on the SRP Rate Plans.
Time-of-Use Plan
The Time-of-Use Plan has more expensive usage charges during On-Peak times. Also, it has less expensive usage charges during Off-Peak times. Further, the On-Peak times in the Winter (November through April) are 5AM to 9PM and 5PM to 9PM. Also, On-Peak times in the Summer (May, June, September, October) are 2PM to 8PM. Finally, On-Peak times in the Summer Peak (July, August) are 2PM to 8PM.
EZ-3 Plan
The EZ-3 Plan is similar to the Time-of-Use Plan, but it limits On-Peak times to three hours only. Customers can choose whether their On-Peak times are 3PM to 6PM or 4PM to 7PM. Further, On-Peak usage charges are more expensive on the EZ-3 Plan to make up for the lower amount of On-Peak time.
Residential Demand Plan Pilot
The Residential Demand Plan Pilot gives SRP Phoenix customers the biggest chance to save money on electricity. Because, this plan has the lowest usage charges. However, it also includes a potentially expensive demand charge. Thus, customers that can avoid using large appliances during On-Peak times can benefit the most from this plan.
Electric Vehicle Plan
The Electric Vehicle Plan is designed for SRP Phoenix customers that own an electric vehicle and charge it at night. Because, this plan has a Super Off-Peak time period from 11PM to 5AM with low usage charges. Thus, customers that use electricity at night while charging their vehicle can benefit most from this plan.
M-Power Plan
The M-Power Plan is a pay-as-you-go plan for customers on a budget. Because, there is no monthly bill and all electricity is bought in advance. Further, customers get an app on their phone where they can purchase electricity in advance of using it. Additionally, the M-Power Plan has flat-rate pricing throughout the year and no Time-of-Use periods.
Basic Plan
The Basic Plan is SRP Phoenix’s standard rate plan. It offers flat-rate pricing throughout the year and no Time-of-Use periods. Also, electricity purchased over 2,000 kilowatt-hours becomes more expensive in Summer and Summer Peak.