Arizona public power utility Salt River Project (SRP) on March 4 announced a proposed half-mile 230 kV transmission line and substation to provide energy to a data center being built for Meta, located in Mesa, Ariz., and slated to be fully operational by 2024.
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, formerly known as Facebook, is funding the cost of SRP’s electrical infrastructure required to serve its facility.
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 will host online open houses about the project. These will happen prior to SRP filing a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility (CEC) with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC).
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.
