PHOENIX – Arizona Public Service, the state’s largest electric provider, met a record level peak energy demand on Wednesday, which was the hottest day of 2025 in Phoenix.
Citing preliminary data, APS said customers used 8,527 megawatts of power between 5 and 6 p.m. during a day Phoenix’s high temperature was 118 degrees.
It was the third consecutive year APS customers set a peak energy demand record, including the previous high mark of 8,210 megawatts on Aug. 24, 2024.
How does APS keep up with increasing peak energy demand?
The utility said it invests more than $2 billion annually in electrical system upgrades, operations and maintenance.
The APS record for peak energy demand has more than tripled since 1979, when the high mark was 2,579 megawatts for 387,000 homes and businesses.
The company expects peak energy demand to reach more than 13,000 megawatts by 2038.
“Arizona is growing fast, and APS is building out the energy grid to keep pace. Our team monitors customer needs by the minute, plans decades ahead and covers everything in between,” Brian Cole, APS vice president of resource management said in a press release Thursday, which is National Lineworker Appreciation Day.
“From 24/7 nuclear to flexible natural gas, coal, solar, wind, battery storage and our partnerships with customers — we’re delivering reliable service with balanced resources at the lowest cost possible.”
How many customers does Arizona Public Service serve?
APS, which is owned by publicly traded Pinnacle West Capital Corp., provides electricity for about 1.4 million customers in 11 Arizona counties. The utility’s service area includes a portion of Phoenix along with Valley suburbs to the west and north.
Last month, APS filed an application with the Arizona Corporation Commission to raise rates by 14% next year.
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