Draconis Energy Interconnection Project
Project Overview
The proposed Draconis Energy Interconnection Project (Interconnection Project) is located approximately 8.5 miles east of Chino Valley in Yavapai County, Arizona. The Interconnection Project would consist of a new, approximately 5.5-mile-long, 500-kV, overhead generation-tie transmission line (gen-tie line), most of which would parallel the existing Arizona Public Service (APS) Yavapai to Willow Lake 230-kV transmission line. The gen-tie line would interconnect the Draconis Energy Project to the Navajo Southern Transmission System (NSTS) at the existing Yavapai Substation and would be located within a 250-foot-wide corridor, as shown on the map here. The Energy Project is a proposed photovoltaic solar and energy storage facility which would have a capacity of 360 megawatts (MW) alternating current (MWac), or 450 MW direct current (MWdc). The Interconnection Project is currently anticipated to begin in mid-2025.
Prior to starting construction, the Interconnection Project will require environmental approvals including a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility (CEC) from the Arizona Corporation Commission and an Environmental Assessment from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service). Arizona state law requires a CEC for new transmission lines that operate at 115 kV or above and are longer than 1 mile. Reclamation is part owner of the NSTS and Yavapai Substation (i.e., the proposed point of interconnection) and must complete an environmental review of the proposed interconnection in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) prior to approving the interconnection request. The Yavapai Substation and approximately 1.8 miles of the gen-tie line corridor are located within the Prescott National Forest (PNF). Interconnection Project components on National Forest System lands administered by the PNF require a Special Use Permit (SUP) from the PNF; therefore, the Forest Service is participating as a cooperating agency in the NEPA process. The Energy Project (i.e., the solar and energy storage facility) is not subject to the CEC or NEPA requirements, but will require approvals from the Town of Chino Valley because it is located within the municipal limits of the Town. The Town of Chino Valley permitting process for the Energy Project is anticipated to begin in late 2024.
By connecting the Energy Project to the regional electric grid, the Interconnection Project will help APS meet its peak electrical load requirements and, in doing so, will lessen the need to dispatch less efficient, more costly “peaking resources.” The delivery of this renewable, locally generated energy to the regional electric grid would also support energy independence and diversification objectives at the local, state, and federal levels.
Public Comment & Open House
We are hosting an in-person Interconnection Project open house, where the community can learn more about the proposed Interconnection Project infrastructure. Representatives from Draconis Energy Project, LLC and SWCA Environmental Consultants will be present to explain the Interconnection Project and answer questions.
We welcome your attendance at the following location, date, and time:
Chino Valley Community Center – Side B
1615 N Road 1 E, Chino Valley, AZ 86323
August 29, 2024
5:30 PM – 7:00 PMWe will hold a separate, additional community open house for the Draconis Solar project at a later time, where our team will give details , provide the opportunity for public input and answer questions.
To contact the Interconnection project team:
Draconis Energy Interconnection Project
c/o SWCA Environmental Consultants
1750 S Woodlands Parkway Blvd, Suite 200
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Project Phone Number: (928) 249-8463
Project Email: Draconis_Interconnection@SWCA.com
Or fill out the form below and a project representative will reach out to you.