On Friday, June 12, NAIOP Arizona is hosting its Energy Economic Forecast at The Camby Hotel in Phoenix. NAIOP Arizona CEO Cheryl Lombard will moderate a discussion on Arizona’s evolving energy portfolio, how utilities are planning for unprecedented demand, what infrastructure investments are needed, and more.  

“Commercial real estate developers are often on the front lines of growth. They see firsthand the opportunities Arizona is creating and the infrastructure challenges that must be addressed to support continued investment,” Lombard explains. “This conversation brings together leaders responsible for some of Arizona’s most critical infrastructure systems at a time when the decisions being made today will shape the state’s economic future for decades.” 

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For years, electricity demand remained relatively flat. Today, demand is increasing rapidly due to Arizona’s unprecedented growth in advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, data centers, industrial development and population.  

While that growth creates tremendous opportunity, the Energy Economic Forecast will address one of the most vexing problems Arizona faces: How does one of the fastest-growing states in America continue to attract jobs, investment and new residents while ensuring it has the energy and water infrastructure necessary to support that growth? 

To help uncover the answer, NAIOP Arizona has convened a panel of industry experts, including:  

  • Jim Pratt, general manager and CEO of SRP 

“These leaders oversee critical infrastructure that powers Arizona’s economy and supports future growth,” Lombard says. “We cannot continue to grow and thrive without their leadership.” 

The conversation will examine both immediate and long-term issues, such as current energy demand and development trends, infrastructure challenges affecting projects today, utility planning and investment, water considerations — including current Colorado River negotiations — and major long-term initiatives such as the proposed Desert Southwest Pipeline Expansion. Arizona’s ability to maintain its economic momentum will depend in large part on how quickly utilities, policymakers and industry stakeholders can expand capacity while maintaining reliability and affordability. 

Register for the Energy Economic Forecast here.