GOVERNMENT
4
The scope of Pinal County’s clean-energy projects is immense. About 25,000 acres in Pinal County have been approved for clean- energy development or are under construction, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Robert Klob said. The county has a total of 50,000 acres zoned specifically for clean-energy projects. The county’s large tracts of relatively affordable land, existing electrical transmission lines and substations, and natural gas pipelines make it attractive to energy developers. At the same time, Arizona’s growing population and demand from industries such as manufacturing and data centers are pushing utilities to add generating capacity and storage. Mapping Pinal County’s energy boom Thousands of acres across Pinal County are being developed for solar power, natural gas and battery storage. Here’s where you can find them. BY JEFF CHEW
14
8
9
11
2
12
3
1
13
The projects range from operating solar farms to proposed natural gas plants and battery storage facilities. Here’s a look at where they stand across Pinal County.
7
1 Salt River Project’s Marigold Energy Center Acres: Not specified 675 MW natural gas; 600 MW solar 400 MW battery storage Salt River Project plans natural gas turbines, a substation, solar generation and battery storage across a patchwork of land in the area. Construction is expected to be completed in 2033. An SRP official said the center would add more than 1,200 MW of capacity to the region, with Maricopa and surrounding communities receiving some of that energy.
2 Horseshoe Energy Project Acres: 159 500 MW battery storage 500 MW power generation The proposed project in Hidden Valley would combine a battery energy storage system with a power generation facility near the Pinal West Substation. Residents have raised concerns about noise, traffic, heat and potential battery fires. In October, the Pinal County Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend denial of the project to the Board of Supervisors. The board will make the final decision.
10
6
5
InMaricopa.com | November 2026
November 2026 | InMaricopa.com
10
11
Powered by FlippingBook