Tucson, Ariz. – Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs today toured Tucson Electric Power’s largest local battery energy storage system, which supports energy resiliency in Arizona as TEP pursues its clean energy goals.
Hobbs was joined by state and local elected officials at a ribbon cutting ceremony and site tour of TEP’s Roadrunner Reserve I, located near Interstate 10 and South Rita Road in Tucson. The 200-megawatt (MW) battery energy storage system can power 42,000 homes for four hours.
“It is critical that we not only expand our energy capacity, but that we do so in a way that is strategic and sustainable,” said Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs. “Tucson Electric Power has been an outstanding partner in making sure that Arizonanas have the power that they need, and the Roadrunner Reserve system is a prime example of their leadership and commitment to our shared future.”
The system will help TEP make the most of its renewable resources while reducing reliance on fossil fuels as it pursues an aspirational goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
“When we turned on the system in July, it marked a major milestone in our efforts to strengthen grid reliability and expand our use of clean, renewable energy,” said Erik Bakken, Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. “Not everyone has the resources to install solar panels or manage their own private battery system. That’s why we’re investing in large-scale solutions like this one — to benefit all of our customers, every day.”
The $350 million project played a critical role in supporting resilient grid operations on Aug. 6, when our community’s energy needs surpassed forecasts and set a record hourly demand peak of 2,502 megawatts (MW). Charged with solar energy earlier in the day, the system helped keep customers cool through the 111-degree day. The system has also helped to maintain service for customers during recent grid disturbances.
A second 200 MW phase of Roadrunner Reserve is currently under construction and is expected to be in service by summer 2026.
Roadrunner Reserve uses lithium iron phosphate battery units, which offer longer life and safer operations than alternative technologies. Representatives from DEPCOM Power, the Scottsdale-based developer of the project, provided a tour of the facility.
“DEPCOM is proud of the partnership with Tucson Electric Power to meet the energy needs of Southern Arizona residents,” said Daniel Kotkin, President of Projects, DEPCOM Power. “As demand for power continues to increase, innovative utility scale solar and battery storage projects are a key part of the overall grid solution to maintain resilience and ensure communities’ energy needs are being met. We applaud TEP on the ribbon cutting for Roadrunner Reserve I and are excited to continue the essential work of completing phase II ahead of the 2026 summer peak.”
Click here to view b-roll and still photos of Roadrunner Reserve 1.
TEP provides safe, reliable electric service to more than 450,000 customers in Southern Arizona. For more information, visit tep.com. TEP and its parent company, UNS Energy, are subsidiaries of Fortis Inc., a leader in the North American regulated electric and gas utility industry. For more information visit fortisinc.com.
News Media Contact:
Joseph Barrios
(520) 884-3725
jbarrios@tep.com
