Project Red Hawk
Formerly the Allium Project. See how new electric infrastructure will support the growing technology industry in Mesa.
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About the project
SRP has received a request to provide energy to a commercial customer on its new 187-acre parcel for a data center located in east Mesa, Arizona. As a public power provider, SRP is responsible for ensuring that all customers are served with affordable and reliable electrical services.
SRP filed a permit application through the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC). On Dec. 10, 2019, the ACC unanimously approved the Certificate of Environmental Compatibility for the project. The approval is the final step of the application process and enables SRP to move forward with project design and construction.
The Red Hawk project will be in-service on December 20, 2024.
Project map
The property is located on land that is in an area designated for industrial, employment and mixed-use development. The area is actively marketing to high-tech customers south of the existing SRP Browning to Santan high-voltage power line corridor.
The project will connect a new 230 kV switchyard to the existing Browning to Santan power line located in SRP’s transmission corridor immediately north of the project site. The switchyard will serve 230 kV transformers connected by up to 22 double-circuit structures with an average height of 130 feet. Each of these transformers will be strategically placed throughout the customer’s property to serve a portion of the customer load. All electrical facilities will be located on SRP's right-of-way or on the customer-owned parcel.
Public outreach
As a public power provider, SRP is responsible for ensuring that all customers are served with affordable and reliable electrical services. As a first step in providing service, SRP notified property owners and stakeholders within a half mile of the proposed data center.
On Sept. 23, 2019, SRP filed a permit application for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility (CEC)
through the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC). With SRP's filing, the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee conducted public hearing sessions and developed a recommendation to the ACC for its consideration.
ACC approval
On Dec. 10, 2019, the ACC unanimously approved the CEC for the project. The approval is the final step of the application process and enables SRP to move forward with project design and construction.
For more than 100 years, SRP has focused on long-range planning and collaboration that supports economic development by providing reliable energy supplies that enable growth and high-tech development in the communities we serve.
Design and engineering
View visual renditions of the project below. The renderings do not reflect any potential buildings or other onsite infrastructure, as specific site plans are under development and will depend on the customer's needs.
Map of project site and key observation points (KOP). View larger map
Map of project site and key observation points (KOP)
Rendition of a typical 230-kV switchyard as viewed looking southwest from East Peralta Avenue.
Existing view looking west from South Sossaman Road at Sports Complex.
Rendition of a typical 230-kV switchyard as viewed looking west from South Sossaman Road at Sports Complex.
Existing view looking northwest from South Sossaman Road and East Elliot Road.
Rendition of a typical 230-kV substation as viewed looking northwest from South Sossaman Road and East Elliot Road
Transmission pole structures
The transmission pole structures will be installed within the existing SRP transmission corridor and on the project site. The height, width and structure types are identified in the pictorials below.
Construction information
On Dec. 10, 2019, the Arizona Corporation Commission approved the Certificate of Environmental Compatibility (CEC) for the construction of infrastructure to serve a commercial customer on the customer's 187-acre parcel for a data center located near Elliot and Sossaman Roads in East Mesa, Arizona. Construction activities are expected to begin in January 2022.
Project scope
SRP will be constructing new electrical facilities consisting of a 230 kV switchyard, known as Sidewinder, and associated 230 kV transmission lines to serve the initial build of a customer-owned, planned data center project. The initial infrastructure will connect a new 230 kV switchyard to the existing Browning to Santan transmission line, located in SRP’s transmission corridor immediately north of the project site. The Sidewinder switchyard will serve a customer-planned distribution substation, known as Diamondback, through a new double-circuit 230 kV line within the project site. The Sidewinder switchyard is ultimately planned to serve up to three customer-owned substations using double-circuit pole structures that have an anticipated average height of 130 feet.
*All planned electrical facilities will be located on SRP’s right of way or on the customer-owned parcel also known as the parcel site.
Switchyard dimensions
The Sidewinder switchyard is planned to be enclosed by a perimeter block wall that is approximately 10 to 12 feet tall and has an overall footprint of approximately 670 feet east-west by 550 feet north-south. The maximum anticipated height of the structures within the switchyard is 65 feet. Because the final designed dimensions of Sidewinder may differ some from these dimensions, we encourage you to visit the project website below for the latest details.
Below is a pictorial rendering of the anticipated switchyard.
Switchyard
A switchyard is a facility that connects two or more transmission circuits of the same voltage together (therefore no transformers are required). The switchyard monitors and protects each high-voltage circuit and provides operational control to ensure the system is safe, reliable and maintainable.
*We encourage all builders and developers to include this information in their disclosure statements.
Substation
A distribution substation is an electrical facility that converts high-voltage circuits, such as 230 kV, to low-voltage circuits, such as 13.8 kV, by using one or more transformers. The substation also monitors and protects each high- and low-voltage circuit and provides operational control to ensure the system is safe, reliable and maintainable.
Contact SRP about Project Red Hawk
To submit questions or comments regarding Project Red Hawk, please call (602) 236-2872(602) 236-2872 or email 2872Line@srpnet.com.
