The Salt River Project said it has permanently shut down one of the three units at its 2,250-MW Navajo Generating Station in Coconino County, Ariz.
Salt River, the plant's operator and largest single owner, has said it will stick to its plans to close the plant by year-end after all the on-site coal is used. Coal was supplied from Peabody Energy Corp.'s nearby Kayenta coal mine, and the last shipment was delivered in August.
A Salt River spokesperson confirmed on Sept. 26 that Navajo unit 3 has been shut and will remain shut "unless absolutely needed."
The plant's owners tried considered selling it but failed to come to terms with the Navajo Nation. The Navajo, which had also expressed interest in acquiring the mine, are among Native American tribes that are focusing more attention on renewable energy resources.
On Sept. 20, Salt River and the Navajo Nation's Navajo Tribal Utility Authority Co. declared open a 28-MW addition to the 27-MW Kayenta Solar Facility (Navajo Community).
The first unit at the Navajo plant began operating in 1974. In 2018, it had a capacity factor of 66.04%, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence data.
Along with Salt River, other owners of the plant include the U.S. government through the federal Bureau of Reclamation, Pinnacle West Capital Corp. subsidiary Arizona Public Service Co.; Fortis Inc. subsidiary Tucson Electric Power Co.; and Berkshire Hathaway Energy subsidiary Nevada Power Co.
