Sustainability at SRP

SRP is dedicated to making decisions through the eyes of future generations. This can be seen in actions such as our continued shift to cleaner energy sources and our unwavering focus on our 2035 Sustainability Goals.

SRP 2035 Sustainability Goals 

Our 2035 Sustainability Goals revolve around five key pillars: 

• Carbon emissions reduction
• Water resiliency
• Customer and grid enablement
• Supply chain management and waste reduction
• Customer and community engagement

Progress year over year 

Every year, SRP reviews the progress made toward meeting our 2035 Sustainability Goals based on key indicators. Each of these goals, and their related sub-goals, have key indicators to measure progress. We have also developed five-year action plans for each goal that outline 2025 milestones and specific initiatives throughout the time frame that will contribute to overall goal progress. SRP reports progress on both the 2035 goals and the 2025 milestones annually. The current strategic execution phase covers SRP’s fiscal years 2020 to 2025 (calendar years 2019–2025).

Carbon Emissions Reductions

SRP is committed to cutting carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions — the primary greenhouse gas — in every aspect of our business, from power generation to our day-to-day internal operations.

When measuring carbon emissions, SRP follows industry best practices and uses a protocol developed by The Climate Registry (TCR). We use a system of measurement known as “carbon intensity .” This metric enables SRP to reflect and compare impacts to our carbon footprint as resource mixes and customer demands change over time.

In FY22, market pricing for natural gas rose significantly.To keep energy prices low for our customers and to balance regional demand, SRP increased levels of coal generation, which carries a higher emissions footprint. This caused our generation carbon intensity to rise to 1,020 pounds CO₂/MWh, which is an 11% increase from FY21. These market conditions are likely temporary but will continue in the near term.

Despite this, SRP has managed to reduce our carbon intensity by 35% since 2005, even with total electricity retail sales in our service territory increasing by 28% during the same time period. Our long-term planning efforts continue to ensure meaningful emissions reductions through 2035 and beyond, especially as future resource changes like our upcoming 2,025 MW of solar generation and coal plant retirements occur.

Completion toward 2035 goal

Goal: Reduce the amount of CO₂ emitted by generation (per MWh) by 65% from 2005 levels.

2022 Carbon reduction successes

2022 highlights

Water Resiliency 

SRP was born out of the need to maintain a safe, reliable and resilient water supply. And it’s a mission to which we remain fully dedicated. SRP manages two watersheds (Verde and Salt) totaling 8.3 million acres, seven dams and over 131 miles of canals to ensure water resiliency and an adequate supply for future use. Working with tribal partners, municipalities and the communities we serve, we are always developing new conservation strategies and exploring new water resources.

Completion toward 2035 goal

Goal: Store 1 million acre-feet of water supplies.

2022 Water resiliency successes

2022 highlights

Customer & Grid Enablement 

SRP will continue to ensure the reliability, flexibility and security of our grid through innovative applications, optimizing existing resources, and robust monitoring and analytics.This will enable customers to take advantage of advanced technologies and energy solutions. 

Learn about progress toward enabling our customers and the grid in the 2023 Customer Programs Report.

Completion toward 2035 goal

Goal: Support the enablement of 500,000 electric vehicles (EVs) in SRP’s service territory and manage 90% of EV charging.

2022 Customer & Grid Enablement Successes

2022 highlights

2022 Supply Chain Management & Waste Reduction Successes

2022 highlights

Customer, Community & Employee Engagement 

At SRP, we are committed to building a sustainable future for all, leading by example and enhancing the communities in which we live and serve.

2022 Community Engagement Successes

2022 highlights

Developing a blueprint for the future 

Looking through the lenses of sustainability, reliability and affordability, we’re developing a blueprint for how we plan for future generation, transmission and distribution resources as well as meet customer needs. The innovative planning process being pioneered at SRP is called Integrated System Planning, which has three overarching objectives:

• Create a plan to grow SRP's energy generation through 2035.
• Continue keeping costs affordable for our customers.
• Meet or perform better than our 2035 Sustainability Goals.

With this integrated, holistic approach, SRP is developing a roadmap for how to build the grid of the future in partnership with community stakeholders. We are working to create plans and policies to meet the evolving needs of our communities so that we’re prepared to serve the Valley for the next 100 years.