American Electric Power (AEP) — the parent company of Southwestern Electric Power Co. — announced plans last week to add to its transmission system controls through the construction of the $100 million Shreveport Transmission Control Center (STCC) in Caddo Parish, Louisiana.
The facility will be centered in the Resilient Technology Park, which is also under construction and will span 77,000 square feet and incorporate additional safety and security measures to benefit the regional power grid. Slated for completion in 2023, the STCC will sprawl outward to access dual electric feeds from AEP’s transmission system and fiber-optic data connections. It will collaborate with the AEP Transmission Control Center based in Corpus Christi, Texas, AEP’s control system for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) power grid.
“Assessing, monitoring, and controlling the transmission grid is critical to keeping the power flowing to our customers. It requires access to high-speed data networks and reliable power,” Nicholas Akins, AEP chairman, president and CEO, said. “We are excited to be the first facility to break ground in Resilient Technology Park and to be able to showcase the investments that have brought fiber-optic data lines and other critical infrastructure to the area.”
Construction is set to begin this quarter. Once complete, the facility will assist both the hardware and software required to assess, monitor, and control AEP’s national transmission grid, while locally, it should bring with it 20 direct new jobs, a new substation, additional electric grid infrastructure, and modern equipment.
“Louisiana residents know the importance of a stable, reliable utility system, and the investments that American Electric Power is making in our state will increase the energy resilience of the entire Gulf Coast,” Louisiana Gov. Bel Edwards said. “I am confident that AEP will find a highly-skilled workforce in Shreveport. This new project will bring high-paying jobs and new economic activity for the northwest region of Louisiana, as well as increased confidence in our vital utilities.”
As part of efforts to entice the STCC project, the state offered AEP an incentive package that included a $1 million performance-based award for infrastructure costs.
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