SWEPCO to seek proposals for up to 3,550 megawatts of generating capacity
by April 28, 2021 3:30 pm 836 views
Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO), a utility of Columbus, Ohio-based American Electric Power, looks to add up to 3,550 megawatts of electricity generating capacity to its energy portfolio by 2026. On Wednesday (April 28), SWEPCO submitted an informational filing that includes draft requests for proposals to add the capacity, largely comprising wind and solar resources.
SWEPCO’s filing with the Louisiana Public Service Commission follows the fall announcement to cease operations at two coal-fired plants and to upgrade another. The filing shows three draft requests for proposals “for renewable and economic generating capacity” for its customers. SWEPCO serves more than 543,000 customers in three states, including Arkansas.
Asked about the megawatt breakdown per state, SWEPCO spokesman Peter Main said that won’t be known until the resources are selected and the company files for regulatory approvals.
The proposals will seek bids for the purchase of wind resources of up to 3,000 megawatts, solar resources up to 300 megawatts and short-term capacity up to 250 megawatts. The wind resources must be a minimum of 100 megawatts, interconnect to the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) and be located in Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas or Missouri. The in-service dates for the wind resources are either Dec. 15, 2024, or Dec. 15, 2025.
Solar resources must be at least 50 megawatts interconnect to the SPP and be located in the SWEPCO service territory. The in-service dates for the solar resources are either Dec. 15, 2024, or Dec. 15, 2025.
Proposals for the short-term capacity must be at least 50 megawatts from SPP resources. Up to 200 megawatts of the capacity is expected to be available in 2023 and 2024. Up to 250 megawatts of the capacity is expected to be available in 2025, 2026 and 2027. Main said the fuel sources are not specified for this proposal request.
Proposals are due by Aug. 12. Response and contact information are available online. Link here for the document site. The selected proposals will be subject to regulatory approvals.
Earlier this week, Entergy Arkansas, a utility of New Orleans-based Entergy Corp., said it would accept proposals to add 300 megawatts of solar and wind capacity to its electricity generating portfolio by 2026.