PLANNING UNDERWAY FOR

2026 LIGHT UP NAVAJO!

The Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) is looking forward to another successful Light Up Navajo! initiative in the Spring of 2026, following another successful end to  2025 Light Up Navajo. From April 2025 to  August 2025, 44 outside utility companies traveled to the Navajo Nation with the goal of connecting the homes of families living without electricity. They worked  alongside NTUA electric crews to extend power to at least 200 homes in the four month time frame.

Light Up Navajo is a mutual aid training project that was launched in 2019 to connect homes under an expedited time frame. Each year, outside utilities send their electric crews to the Navajo Nation to help connect homes and extend powerlines.

“The visiting volunteer line workers signed up to travel here to help make a life changing difference for families,” said NTUA General Manager Walter W. Haase. “They leave with an immense pride of accomplishment, especially when families thank them with heartful words of gratitude. It is a life changing experience for everyone involved.

LUN VI had representation from a cross section of the utility industry. Public Power utilities, Rural Co-operatives, and Investor-Owned Utilities signed up their teams to participate. Traveling teams represented the 21 states from coast to coast.

“The utilities worked together to reach the common goal of helping to make a difference,” Haase said. “They understood the need and worked hard to build powerlines and connect homes in remote and isolated homesteads. ”

The Light Up Navajo! mutual aid initiative embodies the true American spirit of people helping people. It’s a collaborative effort like no other – connecting homes of families that have been waiting years, even decades, for electric power. Currently, there are thousands of families living on the Navajo Nation that do not have electricity.