CPS Energy


CPS Energy is the municipal electric utility serving the city of San Antonio, Texas. Acquired by the city in 1942, CPS Energy serves over 840,750 electricity customers and more than 352,585 natural gas customers in its service area, which includes Bexar County and portions of its 7 surrounding counties.

History

As of May 2015, CPS Energy had 1,059 megawatts of wind and 444 megawatts of solar power under contract.
Plant NameTypeRated CapacityYear CompletedCostNotes
Blue Wing Solar ProjectSolar-PV14.4 MW2010Partner with Duke Energy
South Texas Project Unit 1Nuclear1250 MW1987$2.25 Billion40% Owner with NRG Energy and City of Austin
South Texas Project Unit 2Nuclear1250 MW1988$2.25 Billion40% Owner with NRG Energy and City of Austin
Coal-Fired556 MW1992At Calaveras Lake
Coal-Fired780 MW2010$1 BillionAt Calaveras Lake; Design Capacity was 750MW, Analysis revealed capable of 780MW
Natural Gas892 MW1972At Calaveras Lake
Leon Creek Power PlantNatural gas417 MW1949First unit began operation in 1949
Desert Sky Wind FarmWind160.5 MW2001Owned by American Electric Power, but CPS buys all the power.
Rio NogalesNatural gas800 MW2002Located in Seguin, Texas. Purchased in 2012 to replace 871 MW two-unit coal-fired J.T. Deely.
Braunig Power StationNatural gas1138 MW1966Located at Victor Braunig Lake

Former: J.T. Deely Power Plant Unit 1, 486 MW, 1977–2018, coal, decommissioned. J.T. Deely Power Plant Unit 2, 446 MW, 1978–2018, coal, decommissioned. W.B. Tuttle power plant, 425 MW, 1954–2011, natural gas, demolished. and Comal Power Plant, 70 MW, 1925–1973, coal then natural gas, redeveloped.

Governing structure

CPS Energy is governed by a five-member board of trustees. The mayor of San Antonio serves as an ex officio member, for as long as they are the mayor. Each of the other four members represents a geographical quadrant within the city, and must reside within that quadrant. They are nominated by the remaining trustees for a five-year term, with eligibility to serve one additional term. The nominations must be approved by majority vote of the San Antonio City Council.
In addition, a 15-member Citizens Advisory Committee serves as a liaison between CPS Energy and the citizens of San Antonio. Ten of the members are nominated by the ten City Council members, while the remaining five are chosen from applicants who are interviewed by the Board. The Board approves all fifteen members, who must reside in the CPS Energy service territory and be customers of CPS Energy as well.