Working together with public partners, AEP is investing in transmission improvements designed to strengthen the grid, improve reliability and help keep costs down for customers.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio received a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to support AEP projects with a total investment of approximately $216 million, to increase capacity and make better use of existing transmission infrastructure:
-
Kammer-Muskingum Corridor: Upgrade three sections of the existing 345-kV transmission system with advanced, higher-capacity conductors to increase capacity while reducing the need for new transmission infrastructure.
-
Beatty-Cole: Add advanced conductor to the existing 345-kV transmission system to alleviate bottlenecks, improve power flows and provide additional capacity for future needs.
The DOE’s grant of $107.95 million will be matched by an investment of approximately $107.95 million from AEP. The federal funding comes through the Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades (SPARK) program.
Additional SPARK Grant
In addition to the Ohio projects, AEP has also been awarded $50 million through the SPARK program to modernize communications and transmission monitoring technology across its transmission system.
The project will upgrade infrastructure at 527 locations, add approximately 265 miles of underground fiber-optic lines and deploy Dynamic Line Rating (DLR) technology at 14 sites. The investments are designed to strengthen reliability and resilience, improve visibility into grid conditions and help AEP make better use of its existing transmission capacity.
“A strong transmission system is essential to delivering the reliable power our customers depend on and to support continued economic growth across the communities we serve,” said Bill Fehrman, AEP chairman, president and chief executive officer. "We appreciate the U.S. DOE’s support for these transmission investments, which will allow us to use advanced technologies to improve reliability and make better use of existing infrastructure, delivering long-term value for our customers.”
Making Every Investment Count
Together, the projects are designed to expand capacity, improve power flows and strengthen reliability while making better use of the infrastructure already serving our communities.
The SPARK award is part of AEP's broader strategy to reduce customer costs while investing in reliability and resiliency. AEP has already secured federal loans and grants expected to provide nearly $1.4 billion in customer benefits.
Partnerships with the U.S. Department of Energy are helping accelerate these customer-focused investments while supporting the reliable, affordable electricity our communities need to grow.