American Electric Power (AEP) announced $4.5 billion of investment in the largest, single-site wind project in the U.S. and for a dedicated power line to benefit customers in four states, the company announced on Wednesday.
AEP's investment in the major clean energy project called Wind Catcher Energy Connection will provide nearly 9 million megawatt-hours of new wind energy annually from the 2,000-megawatt wind farm to its customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.
AEP’s utility subsidiaries Public Service Co. of Oklahoma (PSO) and Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) are asking utility regulators in those four states to approve plans to purchase the 2,000 MW wind farm currently under construction in the western panhandle of Oklahoma.
They also ask to build an approximately 350-mile, dedicated, extra-high voltage power line to efficiently deliver the renewable energy to customers. PSO and SWEPCO plan to file for approval with regulators on Monday, July 31.
Total investment for the project will be $4.5 billion, inclusive of all costs. The project is expected to save SWEPCO and PSO customers more than $7 billion, net of costs over a 25-year period.
By Ebru Sengul
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr