Presentation

City of Mesa — City Council (2026-03-09)

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Energy Resources Department
Power Purchase and Storage Agreement
City Council Study Session – 3/5/26
Deb Ferraro, Energy Resources Coordinator
Scott Bouchie, Director of Energy and Sustainability

Pinal Solar Project
• 25 MW Solar Power
• 20 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
• 20-year agreement (estimated start date in 2027)
• Located where Mesa can easily transmit power 
to Mesa’s ESA
• Mesa is one of ten (10) participants. 
• Total project is 400 MW Power and BESS
Arizona 
Electric 
Power 
Cooperative 
(AEPCO)

•Cost Impact
•Reliability
•Sustainability
 
  
Most important criteria for resource choices:
 
  Mesa Electric Customers 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(feedback sourced through a survey)

Cost Impact of Pinal Solar
 
 
 
 
 
 
(One of the lowest priced resources)
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
Legacy Hydropower
Traditional Bilateral (RFP process)
Monthly Bilaterial (Reverse Auction)
RMS Purchases (aggregated wholesale)
Other Solar Projects in ESA
AEPCO Pinal Solar Project
Current Power Contracts by Price (per MWh)
Highest Cost per MWh
Lowest Cost Per MWh
$29.63

Reliability of Pinal Solar
 
 
 
 
 
 •Long-term power = security
•Contributes to diversified portfolio
•Consistent pricing
•Battery storage 
• Flexible
• Dispatchable
• Increase grid reliability

Sustainability of Pinal Solar  
 
 
 
 
(Pinal Solar increases renewable power from 35% to 57%)
18%
1%
1%
15%
65%
Fiscal Year 25-26
18%
2%
2%
14%
21%
43%
Fiscal Year 28-29
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percentage Renewable / Traditional Power

Mesa Future Load Shape
 
 
 
 
 
 
 10,000
 15,000
 20,000
 25,000
 30,000
 35,000
 40,000
 45,000
 50,000
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
MWh
Projected Load & Resources Without Pinal Solar or BESS
Projected Resources
Projected Load
 10,000
 15,000
 20,000
 25,000
 30,000
 35,000
 40,000
 45,000
 50,000
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
MWh
Projected Load & Resources With Pinal Solar and BESS
Projected Resources
Projected Load
Graphs represent 
2027, with Pinal Solar 
starting in June 2027
Traditional 
Bilateral – Ranging 
$60+ - $151/MWh

Questions or Comments?
City Council Study Session – 3/5/26

Mesa Electric Service Area (ESA)
and Council District Boundaries