AEP’s Sundance Wind Energy Center begins commercial operation in north central Oklahoma

The 199 MW Sundance Wind Energy Center, developed by Invenergy and owned by American Electric Power (AEP), began commercial operation this week as the first of three wind projects planned for north central Oklahoma.

The Sundance operation, located in Woods County, is the smallest of the three planned facilities. Together, it and its partners Maverick and Traverse will bring 1,485 MW of clean energy to the area. That energy will go toward AEP subsidiaries: the Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) and Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO).

“The completion of Sundance is a milestone for AEP and our customers as we continue to build a clean energy future,” Nicholas Akins, AEP chairman, president and CEO, said. “North Central will ensure we can provide clean, reliable energy to our customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, while also saving them an estimated $3 billion in electricity costs over the next 30 years. We continue to transform AEP’s generation fleet with investments in new wind and solar and modernize the grid to support the integration of more renewable resources and new technologies.”

While Maverick is expected to be completed later this year, the largest of the bunch, Traverse, should begin operations in early 2022.

“Our customers tell us they support our efforts to include more renewable energy in our generation mix,” Peggy Simmons, PSO president and COO, said. “The completion of Sundance and the North Central project accomplishes that and adds a $2 billion investment in Oklahoma’s future while saving customers money.”