Arizona’s utilities are facing unprecedented energy demand, driven by data centers and other large industrial users. That is leading to supply chain issues, which is causing projects to get pushed back.
The disruptions were highlighted in a workshop at the state’s utility regulating body.
Matthew Robinson who supervises transmission planning with APS presented the utility’s 10-year plan to the Arizona Corporation Commission.
“Some of the drivers for the date changes have been those types of supply chain delays. We're seeing a significant supply chain lead time for large equipment like transformers," Robinson said.
Robinson says those wait times are three to four years. While the COVID-19 pandemic led to supply chain slowdowns, an APS spokesperson says the ongoing challenges come from the incredible demand utilities are facing.
But Robinson says APS is committed to finishing projects it has agreed to.
APS isn’t the only power company facing disruptions. An SRP representative told commissioners that it has also had to change business practices to account for supply chain delays.
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