Southwestern Electric Power Co., a subsidiary American Electric Power (AEP), has added three renewable energy projects to its portfolio of 999 MW. These projects represent a $2.2B investment in clean, efficient resources. SWEPCO expects to issue another request for proposal (RFP) in the near term for additional renewable energy consistent with the company’s integrated resource plan for its energy and capacity needs.
SWEPCO seeks approval from Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas regulators to acquire the 200-MW Mooringsport Solar Project in Caddo Parish (La).; the 200.6MW Diversion wind farm in Baylor County in Texas; and the 598.4MW Wagon Wheel wind farm in Logan, Garfield, and Noble counties, Oklahoma.
Invenergy is currently developing the three projects. Commercial operation is expected for Diversion in December 2024. Mooringsports’ and Wagon Wheel’s online operations are expected to begin in December 2025. Through a competitive bidding process, the solar and wind projects were selected. AEP will file a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission application to Invenergy for approval to transfer the projects.
“This investment is another key step in SWEPCO’s efforts to secure renewable, affordable energy and achieve a more balanced fuel mix,” says Nicholas K. Akins, AEP’s chairman, president and CEO. “AEP remains focused on adding approximately 16 gigawatts of regulated renewables to our generation portfolio by 2030 and reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.”
SWEPCO’s long-term plan calls for more than one-third of its Southwest Power Pool accredited capacity to be satisfied with wind and solar resources. SWEPCO had announced plans to add 72.5MW of solar energy via a power purchase agreement with Rocking R Solar in northwest Louisiana. The 1,484 MW North Central Energy Facilities, located in north central Oklahoma, is also owned and operated by SWEPCO and its sister company Public Service Company of Oklahoma. The project includes the 199 MW Sundance, 287 Maverick, and 998 MW Traverse wind farms.