Electric Utility Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Plan Integrado de Recursos de Servicios Eléctricos (IRP)

What is IRP?
The IRP process looks at what Mesa’s electric customers will need for electric supplies over the next 5 – 10 years, identifies what resources are available to meet those electric needs, then decides which resource or mix of resources will be most appropriate. Our most recent IRP was in 2019.

How can I tell if I'm a Mesa Electric Customer?
To determine if you are a Mesa Electric Customer, please check your monthly bill or visit the service area map.

What if I’m an SRP Electric Customer?
Mesa’s IRP is only for customers of Mesa’s electric utility. SRP administers its own IRP process every 5 years. If you’re interested in participating as an SRP customer, information can be found on the SRP web site.

What Resources are Considered for Meeting Mesa’s Electric Needs?
At the beginning of the IRP process, all resources are considered viable for meeting Mesa electric customers’ needs. These might include:

• Long-Term Contractual Resources
  • Mesa issues requests for proposals from energy suppliers to generate energy and sell it to Mesa for an extended period. The energy may be generated by any technology that the supplier chooses. Typical supplies in the southwest include natural gas-generated electricity, coal-generated electricity, and possibly smaller amounts of electricity generated by wind or from hydroelectric sources.
• Purchasing Physical Resources
  • Mesa may look at opportunities to own the resources providing electricity. Electricity could be created via natural gas-fired generation, wind-powered generation, or solar photovoltaic generation. Mesa could also seek opportunities for joint ownership of resources with other utilities.
• Demand Side Management
  • Mesa may facilitate programs that encourage our electric customers to reduce electric consumption. This way, Mesa helps customers keep their demand low to avoid the cost of acquiring more resources.

What Kind of Resources Does Mesa Currently Use to Supply Electricity to its Customers?
Mesa currently procures all its electrical energy through long-term contractual resources. Even though Mesa isn’t subject to the Arizona Corporation Commission’s Renewable Energy Standard (RES), Mesa still receives over 19% of its annual energy from renewable hydroelectric and solar generation. Mesa’s remaining supplies come from contracts with mixed-generation sources and ad-hoc market purchases.

Why Does Mesa Go Through the IRP Process?
The IRP process is required because Mesa receives its hydropower allocation. In addition, Mesa Electric believes the IRP process helps both Mesa and its customers choose the best resources.

Can Customers Provide Input?
Yes, we are currently in an IRP update cycle. City of Mesa Electric customers are encouraged to provide input through the survey link shown below

2019 Records: Presentation