Arizona plant continues power production legacy

The Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station operated by Arizona Power Service (APS) marked its 23rd consecutive year as the nation’s largest nuclear power producer, APS said Monday.

The station broke its own record for power generation for the 10th time by producing 32.3 million megawatt-hours.

Palo Verde began operation in 1986 and has since produced more than 750 million MWh, providing environmentally friendly energy to more than 4 million people. The station is the only generating facility in the U.S. to produce more than 30 million MWh in a year. It’s Unit 3 reactor has produced the second-highest electricity output of any nuclear unit in the world.

“The almost 3,000 employees who work at Palo Verde come to work every day with the same goal: to safely and efficiently generate clean energy for the Southwest, and do it for the long-term,” APS Executive Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer Randy Edington said. “We take pride in regularly generating more electricity than any other power plant in the country, ensuring that people across Arizona and the Southwest can continue to enjoy reliable, low-cost electricity.”

The Palo Verde plant is a critical asset to Arizona’s economy, contributing an annual economic impact of more than $1.8 billion through taxes, salaries and purchases of materials and services.