Black & Veatch, a global engineering, consulting and construction company, has identified more than 5,000 MW of untapped renewable energy resources in Arizona, enough to meet the energy needs of more than 1.5 million customers.

Arizona's three largest utilities, Arizona Public Service (APS), Salt River Project and Tucson Electric Power (TEP), commissioned Black & Veatch to conduct a renewable energy assessment to determine the availability of the state's renewable energy resources.

"The purpose of this study was to learn the types of renewable resources that could be developed within Arizona," says Ryan Pletka, project manager for Black & Veatch. "This study will assist Arizona's utilities in identifying opportunities that will help them meet their renewable energy goals."

According to the study, nearly 1,500 MW of electricity could be developed from wind power generation. Other power-generating resources cited in the study include solar power (estimated at more than 4,300 MW), and hydro, biomass and geothermal power (175 MW, if combined). However, further review will be needed to determine the comparative value of developing these in-state renewable energy resources versus purchasing electricity from out of state.

The Arizona Renewable Energy Assessment is available at bv.com