Santa Rita Connection Project

Tucson Electric Power is preparing plans for new transmission facilities that will increase energy capacity and enhance system reliability to customers in Sahuarita, Green Valley, and the surrounding area.

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Project Description

The transmission line will extend approximately 9-10 miles from the existing Sonoran Substation to the proposed Santa Rita Substation. The proposed Santa Rita Substation will support service reliability for distribution customers in the area. It will serve homes and businesses as far north as Sahuarita Road.

TEP has not yet identified a route for the proposed transmission line and is seeking public input to inform a comprehensive planning and siting process to identify possible routes. The final route is subject to approval by the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee and the Arizona Corporation Commission.

TEP invites the public to attend a public open house to learn about the project, ask questions, and submit comments.

TEP has not yet identified a route for the proposed transmission line and is seeking public input to inform a comprehensive planning and siting process to identify possible routes. The final route is subject to approval by the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee and the Arizona Corporation Commission.

If you have questions about the project, please send an email to SantaRitaConnection@tep.com or call 520-770-7520.

Public Open House
Thursday, November 13 | 6-8 p.m.

Desert Diamond Casino - Sahuarita
1100 W Pima Mine Road
Sahuarita, AZ 85629

Project Benefits

Increased Capacity

New 138-kV transmission line and Santa Rita Substation will provide greater capacity to help meet the current and future energy needs of the community.

System Reliability

The addition of a new 138-kV transmission line will enhance the regional grid, providing redundancy and stability.

System Upgrades

The new Santa Rita Substation will allow for the retirement of an older 46-kV substation and will help prevent potential reliability issues.

Project Map

SRCP-Project-Map

Planning and Siting Process

Identifying a suitable location for new transmission facilities involves several phases, each informed by public input. TEP considers factors that are important to the community and the environment, and balances them with constructability, maintenance, and cost to find the most suitable route for a transmission line that satisfies the need for the project. Area residents, property owners and other interested parties can provide local insight to help identify opportunities and constraints, areas to avoid, and route evaluation criteria.

TEP welcomes your comments about the local values we should consider throughout the route selection process.

santa-rita-connection-project-balance

Required Approvals and Timeline

Under state law, TEP must secure a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility (CEC) to build the transmission line. TEP plans to file a CEC application in the spring of 2026 with the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee, which reviews CEC applications in a public process that allows neighbors and others to provide comments. The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) must review and approve the CEC before TEP can begin construction.

October 2025 to March 2026

Transmission Line Siting Process

April 2026

CEC Application Filing

May 2026

Line Siting Hearing

July 2026

ACC Open Meeting

Outreach Materials

Public Notice
Postcard No. 1

Public Participation

TEP encourages residents, property owners and other stakeholders to participate in the line siting process by:

  • Attending public open houses
  • Filling out an online comment form below
  • Sending email comments to SantaRitaConnection@tep.com
  • Calling 1-520-770-7520 and leaving a voicemail message to offer comments and ask questions
  • Mailing a letter with comments to:
    TEP Santa Rita Connection Project
    P.O. Box 711
    Mail Stop CB200
    Tucson, AZ 85701-0711