A PDF version of the new commercial construction application is available for download.
Be sure and enroll on the Construction & Renovation Web Portal to be able to apply for service and monitor your project throughout the steps below. Read More Here
Contact CPS Energy Customer Design & Delivery at 210-353-4050 Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4pm or [email protected] if you need assistance with any of the steps below.
Ensure you are within CPS Energy’s Electric Service Boundary Map and/or Gas Service Boundary Map. If you service is within the Downtown Network Service Boundary, please note your project is subject to CPS Energy’s Electric Service Standards Section 1100 – Service from Downtown Network System.
*The following link will provide important addressing information that is needed before an application can be processed. Read More Here
This OPTIONAL Utility Preliminary Plan Review, for qualifying projects, provides you with the opportunity to meet with CPS Energy staff to discuss your project. This optional meeting will assist you by identifying items that need to be addressed or modified prior to submitting a complete service application to CPS Energy for your project. We will help you understand CPS Energy Service Standards, environmental requirements, and required easements information for your project. In addition, we will also describe your construction options: CPS Energy Turnkey or Developer Install and CPS Energy will discuss working with other utilities, like San Antonio Water & Sewer.
Please make your request for a UPPR through our Construction & Renovation Web Portal and submit your site plan, conceptual elevations, photographs, survey, and estimated electric and gas loads. See the UPPR Memo and Form for qualifying criteria, information on the UPPR process and a pdf form for applying outside the portal.
If you would NOT like to request this optional UPPR meeting, please proceed to Step 3.
Or download and email your application:
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
Attach the required documents to your project by selecting the Project from Home, then Attachments.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
1. Schools
Texas state law requires all public, private, and charter schools to perform School Pipe Testing and provide appropriate documentation before CPS Energy can activate gas service. Also, the law requires that a leak test be completed every two years. Please go to School Pipe Testing for more information.
2. Small and Large Commercial Customer Classification
CPS Energy designates customers with a diversified electric load of less than 300 KVA as “Small Commercial” and will typically provide service with overhead transformers. Small Commercial customers are served by CPS Energy’s Commercial Services Section.
CPS Energy classifies customers with a diversified electric load of 300 KVA or larger as “Large Commercial” and will provide service with a pad-mounted transformer. Large Commercial customers are served by CPS Energy’s Large Commercial Developments Section.
3. CPS Energy will diversify based on customer-connected load
Customers who do not qualify for a pad-mounted transformer may request to install a pad-mounted transformer if they agree to pay the difference in cost between an overhead and pad-mounted transformer. These customers will be served by the Large Commercial Developments Section.
Once CPS Energy Customer Design and Delivery receives all required documents, the job is assigned to a Designer who will schedule a Pre-Design Meeting with you. In preparation for this Pre-Design meeting, CPS Energy will gather information and comments from internal departments.
During the Pre-Design Meeting, we will review your project with you and explain any steps required before the design of your project can begin. At this time, you will need to decide whether you would prefer to use the CPS Energy’s Turnkey option, or the developer install option for infrastructure installation. Please keep in mind that any proposed developer install company must be approved by CPS Energy
Revision to already provided documents maybe required.
CPS Energy will review and approve your metering diagrams. Once approved your designer will procure meter cans for your installation. Providing your metering diagrams promptly is especially important for customers requesting quick turnaround as the design phase will not begin until your metering diagrams have approval
Once your CPS Energy Design phase is complete, confirm with your Designer or Coordinator that your meter cans are available for pick up at: 511 S. Salado St San Antonio 78207 EXT. 4245.
CPS Energy will review all submitted documents and will need to approve before design process can begin.
Once CPS Energy has received all documents, CPS Energy will assign a Coordinator to your project and begin the Design phase. During this Design Phase, you should apply for all of your required permits, which can have a long lead time. CPS Energy will apply for permits for CPS Energy work. At the end of the Design phase, CPS Energy will provide your final design , a contract, and invoice.
Every project will have a unique design that may include Overhead Service, Underground Service, or both. If a customer is required to install Underground facilities, they will receive a design specific to their project with precise measurements from source of power (riser pole, manhole, etc.) to the meter location or transformer location(s). For Commercial projects, the customer will need to install all underground electric infrastructure according to CPS Energy’s design and have it inspected by a CPS Energy inspector.
You will need to obtain all relevant permits and, where required, final electrical and/or gas inspection from your local city or municipality, such as the City of San Antonio. For more information about City of San Antonio permitting and inspections, go to City of San Antonio - Permit, Inspection and Review. CPS Energy has also worked with the City of San Antonio to create a Permits and Inspections Checklist for your assistance. If you are outside San Antonio, contact your local municipality.
CPS Energy encourages Developers to sign their contract and remit payment within 5 business days to avoid schedule delays.
Pay by mail:
CPS Energy
PO Box 2678
San Antonio, TX 78289-0001
Pay in-person by check at any of our Customer Service Centers
Property Staking
In an effort to reduce conflicts with other infrastructure or fixtures, CPS Energy requires your engineer to stake designated pole locations, transformers, streetlights, and easements per CPS Energy design prior to construction. CPS Energy will only stake CPS Energy infrastructure in public right-of-ways.
CPS Energy Construction Standards
CPS Energy has adopted specific standards for the construction of electric or gas services within the CPS Energy Service Area:
o If installing Underground infrastructure based on a CPS energy design (underground primary duct banks, manholes, concrete slabs, or underground secondary duct banks), then call the CPS Energy inspection line at 210-353-3373.
Site Ready Checklist
You are required to meet all of the following conditions prior to the commencement of CPS Energy construction:
Final Notes
The overhead portion of the project will be released to construction after all payments have been received by CPS Energy. Meanwhile, you may begin construction of the underground infrastructure. You may extend the duct bank to within 10’ of the proposed riser pole location. After the riser pole has been installed and framed, we will provide the riser bracket so you can complete your duct bank installation. After this, you can schedule your final inspection.
If necessary, submit easement documentation for the necessary utilities after they are constructed. The easement or field notes are required to be received, reviewed and signed by the property owner prior to your permanent service being activated. This process can take up to 3 weeks. If an Easement is required for your project, review the information below or click here to Read More.
Owner Request:
The owner will need to provide an easement description to the CPS Energy Agent (“Agent”). All Residential Development, Small Commercial, and Large Commercial Projects will require a surveyed easement description. The Agent will determine if a surveyed easement description is necessary for Residential Service projects.
Third-Party Request:
If your project requires a third-party easement, please contact the Agent. The third-party easement must be secured before design phase can begin.
Permits & Inspections
Please note that all permits and inspections required by any Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) will need to be completed and released to CPS Energy prior to the electric and/or gas meter being set. CPS Energy has worked with the City of San Antonio to create a Permits and Inspections Checklist that must be satisfied in order for City of San Antonio permits to be released to CPS Energy. If you are outside San Antonio, contact your local municipality.
City or Municipality Inspections
In order for CPS Energy to turn on your service after our infrastructure installation, we require your city or municipality’s successful electric and/or gas inspection(s) and release. We recommend you acquire these inspections as soon as possible. In some locations, the CPS Energy Meter Installer will perform this inspection.
CPS Energy Inspections
Call 210-353-3373 for inspections according to the instructions on the sketch supplied by CPS Energy. Inspections are required before concrete is poured, for both the slab and the duct bank. The underground portion of the job will be released to construction after the final inspection has been approved. Our underground crews requires approximately 15 business days (weather permitting) to set the transformer, pull the primary cables and make up the transformer.
Texas state law requires all public, private, and charter schools to perform School Pipe Testing and provide appropriate documentation before CPS Energy can activate gas service. Also, the law requires that a leak test be completed every two years. Please go to School Pipe Testing for more information.
