Western Area Power Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Energy, Desert Southwest Region. Background photo shows a transmission tower in a desert setting.
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About the Desert Southwest Region

Desert Southwest Region, Phoenix AZ

Mission Statement

Our mission is to market and deliver reliable, cost-based hydroelectric power and related services. The Desert Southwest Region, is one of four regions within Western Area Power Administration, a Federal power marketing administration. Western sells wholesale power and delivers bulk wholesale transmission local utilities.

The electric company receives the power it delivers to consumers from a variety of sources, including wholesale power providers such as Western, purchases and exchanges from neighboring utilities and its own generation facilities. Western's employees diligently work to maintain bulk power moving through the interconnected transmission system so that the needed electricity reaches its communities.


Vision Statement

Our vision for the future is to be a premier power marketing and transmission organization. The Desert Southwest Region carries out Western's mission to customers in Arizona, southern California, and southern Nevada. Within vast open spaces an an arid mountain desert climate, we sell more than 10.3 billion kilowatt-hours of Federal hydroelectric power to cities and towns, rural electric cooperatives, Federal and state agencies and irrigation districts. This is enough energy to provide electric service for a year, to more than two million homes.

Photo of Hoover Dam

As the electric utility industry continues to undergo restructuring and increased competition, we build upon multiple products and services to meet customer needs. In order for the Desert Southwest Region to continue to operate efficiently in this dynamic marketplace, our region must remain committed, innovative, flexible, and resourceful while continuing to provide exceptional customer service.


Meeting Customer Needs

Western Area Power Administration's Desert Southwest Customer Service Region markets federal hydroelectric power to nearly 70 municipalities, cooperatives, federal and state agencies, and irrigation districts.

Most power sold by the Desert Southwest Region is generated from powerplants operated at Hoover, Parker, and Davis dams. Power is also marketed from hydroelectric projects in the Bureau's Upper Colorado Region and the federal portion of power generated at Navajo Generating Station near Page, Arizona.

The Desert Southwest Region also operates and maintains more than 40 substations and 3,100 miles (4,950 kilometers) of transmission lines to keep the system running reliably. Our partnerships with our customers allow us to help them quickly restore service to local residents after storms or other major system disturbances.

Some services offered by the Desert Southwest Region includes technical assistance through the Energy Services program on topics such as infrared scanning, efficient lighting, and demand-side management. We also offer training and assistance on planning for future power needs. These and other services are available through our Energy Services Internet site.