Hobbs tours new TEP battery system | News

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs on Tuesday toured Tucson Electric Power’s largest local battery energy storage system, which supports energy resiliency as the utility pursues its clean energy goals.

Hobbs was joined by state and local elected officials at a ribbon-cutting ceremony and site tour of TEP’s Roadrunner Reserve I, located near Interstate 10 and South Rita Road in Tucson. The 200-megawatt battery energy storage system can power about 42,000 homes for four hours.

“It is critical that we not only expand our energy capacity, but that we do so in a way that is strategic and sustainable,” Hobbs said. “Tucson Electric Power has been an outstanding partner in making sure that Arizonans have the power they need, and the Roadrunner Reserve system is a prime example of their leadership and commitment to our shared future.”

The system will help TEP make the most of its renewable resources while reducing reliance on fossil fuels as the company works toward a goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

“When we turned on the system in July, it marked a major milestone in our efforts to strengthen grid reliability and expand our use of clean, renewable energy,” said Erik Bakken, senior vice president and chief administrative officer. “Not everyone has the resources to install solar panels or manage their own battery system. That’s why we’re investing in large-scale solutions like this one — to benefit all of our customers, every day.”

The $350 million project supported grid operations on Aug. 6, when energy needs outpaced forecasts and demand reached a record hourly peak of 2,502 megawatts. Charged with solar energy earlier in the day, the system helped keep customers cool through temperatures that reached 111 degrees. It has also helped maintain service during recent grid disturbances.

A second 200-megawatt phase of Roadrunner Reserve is under construction and is expected to be in service by summer 2026.

Roadrunner Reserve uses lithium iron phosphate battery units, which offer longer life and safer operation than some other storage technologies. Representatives from DEPCOM Power, the Scottsdale-based developer, provided a tour of the facility.

“DEPCOM is proud of the partnership with Tucson Electric Power to meet the energy needs of Southern Arizona,” said Daniel Kotkin, president of projects for DEPCOM Power. “As demand for power continues to increase, innovative utility-scale solar and battery storage projects are a key part of maintaining grid resilience. We applaud TEP on the completion of Roadrunner Reserve I and look forward to completing Phase II ahead of the 2026 summer peak.”