Tucson Electric Power

Tucson Electric Power is more than an electric company and has been for years. 

When the company began providing power to the area in 1892, it was Tucson Electric Light & Power Co. By 1979, it had shed the natural gas portion of the business and took its current name. When the company was formed – even before Arizona became a state − it was providing power to southern Arizona using mesquite wood as a primary fuel.

Fast forward to 1998 and UniSource Energy was formed as a holding company for TEP, then a publicly traded company. UniSource Energy and TEP were acquired by Canadian company Fortis in 2014. TEP is now a subsidiary.

TEP provides power to more than 452,000 customers in the Tucson area. The company is notable for its outstanding community service and volunteerism. In 2024, TEP contributed more than $1.6 million and its employees worked thousands of volunteer hours to make Southern Arizona a special place.

PHOTOS COURTESY TUCSON ELECTRIC POWER