Arizona’s largest utility is already saving millions of dollars thank to a new regional energy market.

The state's largest utility Arizona Public Service joined the so-called Energy Imbalance Market at the end of last year, hoping to cash in on other states’ ever-fluctuating energy needs. And a report on the first three months suggest it’s working. APS has already saved nearly $6 million.

The market allows the utility to buy or sell energy from other Western states in short, five minute increments. That can save money for APS during times when, for example, California has excess solar power, which was the case this last quarter. Brad Albert of APS says the heavy snowfall across the West this January could provide another source of affordable energy in the coming months.

“Setting us up for probably a very good amount of hydroelectric production in the springtime. That might give us wonderful opportunities to be able to buy cheap power from other areas in the West,” Albert said.

The utility has estimated it could save up to $18 million a year by joining the market, which also includes states like Utah, Nevada and Washington.