APS: Yuma has plenty of power

Despite soaring temperatures, Arizona Public Service said Yuma can expect reliable coverage now and in the future.

"Assuming Mother Nature cooperates, we're assuming our customers will have a reliable source of electricity," said Damon Gross, APS spokesman.

In 2008, APS brought online two new units at the Yucca Power Plant to serve the community. The two gas turbines provide an additional 96 megawatts of energy to meet the area's needs.

"To put that in perspective, one megawatt is enough energy for the needs of about 250 average-sized homes," said Gross.

He said the turbines were the first new units to be installed in 30 years, and there are currently no plans to install more units at the Yucca plant.

"However, if we need to add more, we certainly can."

There are plans for two new transmission lines: one 500,000 volts, the other 230,000 volts. Gross said the lines, which are tentatively scheduled to arrive in 2014, would help bring even more power to the area.

At this time, APS says the load server capability for the Yucca plant is 565 megawatts. This year's demand peaked Monday at 401 megawatts.

"We're well within the capability that we have. Our customers should feel confident that we've got the resources to ensure reliability," said Gross.

Gross also said that repair vehicles will continue to serve the Yuma area.

"Yuma is a very important place. We need to be able to move quickly."

He said some people might be concerned to see vehicles leaving the Yuma area, but this is a normal procedure. When emergencies occur around the state, repair vehicles are sent from different communities in order to serve the area most in need. Yuma would receive the same attention in case of emergency.

"Even if we need to send crews somewhere to help around the state, we'll never leave an area exposed. We'll always have the resources to serve Yuma."