By Salt River Project
SRP has announced a proposed half-mile 230 kV transmission line and substation to serve energy to a data center being built for Meta (formerly Facebook), located in Mesa, and slated to be fully operational by 2024.
Meta’s data center is under development at the southeast corner of Elliot and Ellsworth Roads. SRP’s proposed “Project Huckleberry” outlines a new double-circuit 230 kV power line to be constructed from the already approved Southeast Powerlink along an existing flood control channel to the new proposed “Prickly Pear Substation” located on the Mesa data center site. As the primary beneficiary of Project Huckleberry, Meta is funding the cost of SRP’s electrical infrastructure required to serve their facility.
The Data Center continues the Phoenix area’s growth in the technology sector and is expected to create approximately 100 high-wage jobs upon its completion and around 1,500 jobs during its construction. To meet the initial need for Meta’s load by December 2022, SRP will serve the Mesa data center from the 69 kV system and build the new Prickly Pear 69 kV switchyard.
SRP held live open houses to discuss the project on March 22nd and 23rd. Additional open houses may take place, subject to CDC COVID-19 guidelines. These will happen prior to SRP filing a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility with the Arizona Corporation Commission.
The CEC process includes public hearings with the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee before seeking final approval from the ACC. Hearings before the Line Siting Committee will occur in late June.
More information on Project Huckleberry, including a map of the proposed line and substation, can be found on the project website. There will also be links to join the online open houses as they become available. Visit https://srp.net/mesahuckleberry. (Source)
