SHREVEPORT, La., Feb. 1, 2022 – Southwestern Electric Power Co., an American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) company, today announced plans to add 72.5 megawatts (MW) of solar energy by Dec. 1, 2024, through a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Rocking R Solar, LLC (Rocking R), an affiliate of D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI). The proposal supports SWEPCO’s long-term plan of increasing its use of more clean energy sources, such as solar and wind.
In the filing submitted Friday, Jan. 28, SWEPCO seeks approval of the proposal from the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC). The proposal is also subject to review by the Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Regulatory filings in Texas will be made at a later date.
The project – named Rocking R Solar Facility – will be located approximately 20 miles north of Shreveport, La., near Hosston. The new facility will help fulfill SWEPCO’s commitment made to the LPSC in May 2020 to pursue up to 200 MWs of solar generation in its service territory.
“Solar energy from this Louisiana facility will help SWEPCO’s customers meet their own renewable energy and sustainability goals, and it will make communities more competitive for economic development,” said Malcolm Smoak, SWEPCO president and chief operating officer.
“We appreciate the opportunity to work with Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell toward the goal of developing more clean energy in our state. The project will further diversify SWEPCO’s generation portfolio and accelerate our transition to less carbon-based generation,” Smoak said.
“The fixed price supply of clean energy, which is unaffected by fluctuations in fuel prices, is a significant benefit to SWEPCO customers,” Smoak said. “Rocking R will provide SWEPCO customers with reasonably priced renewable energy and savings compared to other generation and supply options over the length of the power purchase agreement.”
Customers also will have the option to purchase Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). Revenue from the REC sales will offset fuel costs for all SWEPCO customers.
The Rocking R Solar Facility is owned by DESRI, who will continue to develop, construct and operate the facility. Through this PPA contract with DESRI, SWEPCO has agreed to purchase power at a fixed rate for 20 years, with an option to purchase the facility after 10 years. SunChase Power, LLC initiated development of the project. The project’s 72.5 MW is enough to power approximately 12,000 homes for a year.
“Our DESRI team is pleased to partner with SWEPCO to deliver cost-effective clean power to their customers across Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas,” said Hy Martin, chief development officer of DESRI. “This solar project will deliver economic development benefits to Caddo Parish and the surrounding communities for years to come.”
SWEPCO’s renewable energy portfolio includes 810 MW of wind energy from the North Central Energy Facilities and 469 MW of wind energy under PPAs. Two of the North Central facilities began commercial operation in 2021, and the third is expected to begin commercial operation in early 2022.
On June 28, 2021, SWEPCO issued Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for up to 300 MW of solar resources and up to 3,000 MW of wind resources. SWEPCO expects to file for regulatory approvals in the second quarter of 2022 for resources selected from the RFPs.
About Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO)
SWEPCO, an American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) company, serves more than 543,000 customers in Northwest and Central Louisiana, Northeast Texas and the Texas Panhandle, and Western Arkansas. SWEPCO’s headquarters are in Shreveport, La. News releases and other information about SWEPCO can be found at SWEPCO.com. Connect with us at Facebook.com/SWEPCO, Twitter.com/SWEPCOnews, Instagram.com/swepco, Youtube.com/SWEPCOtv, LinkedIn.com/company/swepco and SWEPCOConnections.com.
About American Electric Power
American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is powering a cleaner, brighter energy future for its customers and communities. AEP’s approximately 16,700 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 224,000 miles of distribution lines to safely deliver reliable and affordable power to 5.5 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 31,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 5,900 megawatts of renewable energy. The company’s plans include growing its renewable generation portfolio to approximately 50% of total capacity by 2030. AEP is on track to achieve an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2000 levels by 2030 and has committed to achieve net zero by 2050. AEP is recognized consistently for its focus on sustainability, community engagement, and diversity, equity and inclusion. AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Co. (in Arkansas, Louisiana, East Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com.