The US state of Arizona has approved the conversion of the Springerville and Coronado coal-fired power plants to natural gas (Arizona Corporation Commission press release, 04/03/2026). Under previous federal mandates, the projects were due to close within the coming six years. The projects were submitted for conversion as it was deemed the most cost-effective way to maintain grid reliability, while also contributing with a “dramatic” reduction in emissions, increase their performance, efficiency and lifespan.
The Springerville plant is owned and operated by TEP, which has requested the modification from coal-fired boilers to natural gas-fired boilers for two of the four units of the power plant, namely units 1 and 2 (combined capacity of 787 MW). TEP expects the natural gas pipeline required to serve the Springerville plant to be completed by the end of 2029, with the full conversion of both units scheduled for the first quarter of 2030. The coal-fired units were originally scheduled for retirement in 2027 and 2032, respectively.
SRP, which owns and operates the 762 MW Coronado plant, expects the conversion its project to be completed by late 2029.
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