Southwestern Electric Power Company plans 800MW of new onshore wind farms in Oklahoma and Texas

US utility Southwestern Electric Power Company (Swepco) is looking to develop two major wind farms as it strives to boost renewable energy capacity.

The company plans to invest a total of $2.2 billion in the 200.6MW Diversion Diversion (200.6MW) OnshoreBaylor County, Texas, USA, North America Click to see full details wind project in Texas and the 598.4MW Wagon Wheel Wagon Wheel (598.4MW) OnshoreLogan, Garfield and Noble Counties, Oklahoma, USA, North America Click to see full details project in Oklahoma as well as a 200 MW solar energy project in Louisiana.

All three projects are currently being developed in Invenergy. Swepco, a subsidiary of American Electric Power, will file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for approval to transfer the projects.

Diversion is expected to begin commercial operations by the end of 2024 while Wagon Wheel will be ready by December 2025.

“This investment is another key step in Swepco’s efforts to secure renewable, affordable energy and achieve a more balanced fuel mix,” said Nicholas K. Akins, AEP’s chief executive officer. The company plans to have around 16GW of regulated renewable capacity by the end of the decade and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The three projects were selected through a competitive bidding process. The company plans to issue another request for proposals in the coming months for more renewable energy capacity.

Swepco and sister company Public Service Company of Oklahoma also own and operate almost 1.5GW of wind energy capacity in Oklahoma, consisting of the 199MW Sundance, 287MW Maverick and 998MW Traverse wind farms.