Appalachian Power requests approval for multiple renewable energy projects
West Virginia-based Appalachian Power recently requested approval for multiple renewable energy projects with the Public Service Commission of West Virginia.
According to the company, the filing includes a 143 MW wind facility in Ohio and seven solar facilities. The wind facility would be acquired through a purchase and sale agreement (PSA), while the solar facilities would be acquired through power purchase agreements. The facilities, if approved, are expected to begin operation between 2024 and 2026.
“Having renewable power generation available is critical to attracting new industry to West Virginia and retaining existing business, which benefits our customers and improves the state’s economic health,” Appalachian Power President and COO Aaron Walker said. “We continue to see increasing demand from our commercial and industrial customers for renewable energy.”
The costs for the projects are expected to be paid by customers who subscribe to purchase energy from the project using the Renewable Power Plus tariff. The company said that first-year project costs could result in a 0.2 percent increase, but the projects will reduce customer rates over the course of their operation. Future cost savings will be made in future filings, the company said.
Appalachian Power supplies energy to more than 1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia, and Tennessee (as AEP Appalachian Power) and is a part of American Electric Power (AEP). With more than 17,000 employees, AEP operates the country’s largest electricity transmission system with more than 224,000 miles of distribution lines. AEP produces an estimated 31,000 megawatts of power, including 6,900 megawatts of renewable energy, for its more than 5.6 million customers in 11 states.
