Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Sets 2014 Power Production Record

PHOENIX (The Associated Press) - Feb 23

 

Last year, the APS-operated Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station achieved its 23 rd consecutive year as the nation’s largest power producer and, for the tenth time, exceeded its own record for power generation – producing 32.3 million megawatt-hours (MWh). The previous best was 31.9 million MWh in 2012.

Palo Verde is the only generating facility in the nation to ever produce more than 30 million MWh in a year, a feat that has been achieved each of the past six years and a total of 10 times. In addition, Unit 3 produced the second-highest electricity output of any nuclear unit in the world, and all three Palo Verde units individually ranked among the top six producers in the U.S., according to industry data.

“The almost 3,000 employees who work at Palo Verde come to work every day with the same goal: to safely and efficiently generate clean energy for the Southwest, and do it for the long-term,” said Randy Edington, APS Executive Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer. “We take pride in regularly generating more electricity than any other power plant in the country, ensuring that people across Arizona and the Southwest can continue to enjoy reliable, low-cost electricity.”

Since it began operation in 1986, Palo Verde has produced more than 750 million MWh, providing environmentally friendly energy to more than 4 million people. About half the plant’s output serves Arizona customers with the remaining power spread among California, New Mexico and far west Texas. Palo Verde’s three reactors are part of 99 operating nuclear units in the U.S. and 435 in the world. Its three units can generate more than 4 million kilowatts of safe, clean, reliable electricity every hour.

Palo Verde is a critical asset and an economic engine. In addition to the energy produced, the plant has an annual economic impact of more than $1.8 billion in Arizona through taxes, salaries, purchases of materials and services, and more.

Palo Verde is operated by APS and jointly owned by APS, Salt River Project, Southern California Edison Co., El Paso Electric Co., Public Service Co. of New Mexico, Southern California Public Power Authority and the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power.

APS, Arizona’s largest and longest-serving electric utility, serves nearly 1.2 million customers in 11 of the state’s 15 counties. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the principal subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (NYSE: PNW).

CONTACT: APS

Media:

Alan Bunnell, 602-326-7610

Analyst:

Paul Mountain, 602-250-4952

aps.com/newsroom

KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA ARIZONA

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ENERGY UTILITIES OTHER ENERGY NUCLEAR

SOURCE: APS

Copyright Business Wire 2015

PUB: 02/23/2015 04:02 PM/DISC: 02/23/2015 04:02 PM

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