SRP Crews Provide Electricity to Nine Homes on the Navajo Nation as part of Light Up Navajo VI

SRP line crews spent two weeks in remote areas of the Navajo Nation working in extreme weather conditions to bring electricity to nine homes in the areas of Leupp, Dilkon and Cornfields as part of the Light Up Navajo (LUN) VI initiative.

LUN brings together electric utilities from across the country to help speed up the process of bringing power to the Navajo Nation, where 75% of the homes in the U.S. without access to electricity are located.

To energize the nine homes, SRP crews installed 153 poles, 8 transformers and 84,493 feet of electrical line. This work required digging in rough terrain, and in some areas, it could take up to three hours to dig the hole required to set a power pole. Weather conditions ranged from high heat and dust to strong winds and even heavy snow.

"Without the help of SRP and other electric companies from the U.S., bringing power to the Navajo Nation would take decades. We are deeply grateful," said Deenise Becenti, Government and Public Affairs Manager at Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA). "Thanks to the expertise, equipment and dedication of SRP employees, extending electricity to this area of the country becomes a more manageable task."

It is estimated that without the support of public utility companies, bringing electricity to the Navajo Nation would take more than 50 years.

"This is my first year working on this project, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Bringing electricity to the area and seeing people’s faces light up once we turn on their power is an indescribable feeling,” said Thomas Gerbig, SRP Lineman. "Working in this area was challenging, since we are working under extreme conditions such as strong wind, dust and we even got nine inches of snow."

"We are deeply grateful to SRP for helping us bring electricity to our home," said Genevive Smith, resident of Leupp on the Navajo Nation. "Once they bring power to our home, I will be able to use electricity and weave for as long as I want to without having to start a generator."

This year, LUN VI brought together 45 electric companies from 20 states, and it is estimated that by August, more than 200 families will have access to safe and reliable energy. The Light Up Navajo initiative spans 14 weeks.

To date, SRP has installed 805 wood poles, strung 424,463 feet of wire, set 98 transformers, and provided reliable power to 128 families for the first time.

Since 2019, LUN has brought electricity to more than 910 homes on the Navajo Nation, where 75% of Americans without power reside. The work spans parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, covering a region larger than the state of West Virginia.

About NTUA   
In 1959, NTUA started out as a small water utility in Shiprock, NM. In decades since, NTUA has grown into the largest multi-utility enterprise owned and operated by an American Indian tribe. NTUA is proud of its history and celebrates its progress. As a not-for-profit enterprise of the Navajo Nation, NTUA provides electric, water, wastewater, natural gas, off-grid residential solar, renewable energy generation, and communications services. NTUA takes deep pride in its work and maintains the commitment to provide the multi-utility needs of the Navajo Nation. In Navajo, the phrase “Niandeiilnish” means “We work for You.” In keeping with that principle, NTUA works for the People with teamwork and respect which has been the primary mission since 1959.   

About APPA   
The American Public Power Association is the voice of not-for-profit, community-owned utilities that power 2,000 towns and cities nationwide. APPA represents public power before the federal government to protect the interests of the more than 49 million people that public power utilities serve, and the 93,000 people they employ. APPA advocates and advises on electricity policy, technology, trends, training and operations. The members strengthen their communities by providing superior service, engaging citizens and instilling pride in community-owned power.   

About SRP  
SRP is a community-based, not-for-profit public power utility and the largest electricity provider in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, serving about 1.1 million customers. SRP provides water to about 2.5 million Valley residents, delivering more than 244 billion gallons of water (750,000 acre-feet) each year, and manages a 13,000-square-mile watershed that includes an extensive system of reservoirs, wells, irrigation laterals, and 131 miles of canals.