American Electric Power issues request for proposals for 1,100 MW of renewable energy resources
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- Category: Business
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03 Jun 2009
- Published on Wednesday, 03 June 2009 11:23
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Company logo of American Electric Power. Image sourcedfrom American Electric Power
American Electric Power (AEP), one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, has issued a request for proposals (RFP) that seeks long-term purchases of up to 1,100 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy resources.
These proposals must include wind, certified low-impact hydro, commercial-scale solar, geothermal, biologically-derived methane gas, and certain biomass and biofuels energy projects. The electricity generated from these renewable energy resources must be interconnected to PJM Interconnection (PJM) or Southwest Power Pool (SPP). The generation should be fully operational no later than December 31, 2011.
The RFP for renewable energy resources aids in AEP’s goal to add two gigawatts of new wind or other renewable energy by the end of 2011. This is part of the company’s plan to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
The company’s wind portfolio consists of 1,783 MW of wind energy, including 310 MW owned and operated by AEP in Texas and 1,473 MW acquired through long-term power purchase agreements.
By diversifying its fuel mix with additional renewable energy resources, the company will be able to expand the development of these energy resources, supply power to its customers, and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions, said Michael Morris, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of AEP.
“Expansion of renewable power will require significant investment in transmission infrastructure to transport renewable energy from where it can be viably produced to population centers. On a national level, we must move forward with legislation that will support construction of a national extra-high voltage transmission system. Without significant extra-high voltage transmission investment, our national renewable aspirations cannot be achieved,” he added.
American Electric Power is one of the largest generators of electricity in the United States, owning nearly 38 gigawatts of generating capacity in the country. The company also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission systems, a 39,000-mile network that includes more than 765-kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines. AEP’s headquarters is located in Columbus, Ohio.
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Natassia Y. Laforteza
Sources:
1 http://www.aep.com/newsroom/newsreleases/?id=1551
2 http://www.aep.com/
