Federal Funding Boosts ED3’s Solar Energy Expansion Efforts

Electrical District No. 3 (ED3) is set to significantly boost its renewable energy capacity in Maricopa, targeting an addition of 100 megawatts by 2026, coinciding with the company’s centennial celebration. This ambitious initiative will be supported by funding from a federal program aimed at enhancing rural energy infrastructure.

ED3 has been selected as one of the beneficiaries of $485 million allocated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through its Empowering Rural America Program. The grant is directed at members of the Arizona Electric Power Cooperative (AEPCO) to enhance their energy portfolios through substantial investments in renewable resources.

The funding will facilitate various solar and battery energy storage projects over the next three years, with plans to integrate 75 megawatts of solar power and 340 megawatt-hours of battery storage. This capacity is projected to serve approximately 13,000 homes.

While specific projects have not been officially detailed, the plans likely encompass the recently proposed Copia Power solar farm in Hidden Valley and the Rainbow Valley Energy Center, which includes both solar energy generation and battery storage capabilities.

ED3 Board Chair Kelly Anderson emphasized the importance of this collaboration for supporting the city’s economic growth while honoring its agricultural traditions. The utility anticipates that these developments will result in a reduction of over 1 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions, representing more than a 70% decrease, all while maintaining consistent electricity reliability and affordability.