AEP Gets Approvals to Move Forward With 1,485MW Wind Projects

   By Stephen Nakrosis 
 

American Electric Power Co. Inc. said Wednesday it received the needed approvals to acquire a planned 1,485 megawatts of wind generation in Oklahoma.

The company said The Louisiana Public Service Commission approved a settlement agreement Wednesday "that authorizes SWEPCO to add 810 MW of wind energy to serve its customers."

AEP also said "The Commission approved an option that could increase Louisiana's allocation to an estimated 464 MW from the original 268 MW, if Texas does not also approve the SWEPCO proposal."

"Today's decision by The Louisiana Public Service Commission enables us to move forward with the North Central wind projects at full scale and invest in low-cost wind energy to benefit our customers in Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma," said Nicholas K. Akins, AEP's chairman, president and chief executive.

The North Central project includes three wind generation facilities located in Oklahoma. One project is expected to be completed by the end of this year, with the other two projects slated for completion before the end of 2021, AEP said.

AEP's SWEPCO and PSO operating units in July of last year said they would seek regulatory approvals to purchase the three wind projects.

Write to Stephen Nakrosis at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 27, 2020 19:05 ET (23:05 GMT)

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