First of Three New Wind Facilities Begins Commercial Operations
There are more wind-generated electrons on SWEPCO's grid than ever before, thanks to Sundance – the newest wind facility – that came online in April. Located northwest of Aline in Woods County, Sundance is the first of three new Oklahoma wind facilities to provide clean energy to SWEPCO Arkansas and Louisiana customers.
The 199-megawatt (MW) Sundance project is part of the 1,485-MW North Central Energy Facilities (NCEF), from which SWEPCO Arkansas and Louisiana customers will receive 810 MW of power. NCEF is a joint project with SWEPCO's Tulsa, Oklahoma-based sister company, Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO), which will receive 675 MW. Along with Sundance, NCEF also includes the 287-MW Maverick and the 999-MW Traverse projects that are currently under construction. Maverick and Traverse are scheduled to be in service later this year and in early 2022, respectively.
Taking advantage of one of Oklahoma's most abundant natural resources to power businesses and homes across SWEPCO's service territory in Arkansas and Louisiana is a win-win. The NCEF will help our Arkansas and Louisiana customers meet their renewable energy and sustainability goals as well as make communities in those states more competitive for economic development.
SWEPCO Arkansas customers looking to achieve sustainability goals related to wind should check out Renewable Energy Choice. This voluntary program provides the opportunity to purchase Renewable Energy Credits (RECs), allowing customers to legally claim the environmental benefits of the renewable energy. These low-cost RECs are less than a quarter of a cent per kilowatt-hour. Check out the program page for more information, including how to calculate your renewable energy cost, and to register.
In addition to the environmental benefits of wind energy, Arkansas and Louisiana customers will save an estimated $2 billion over the 30-year expected life of the facilities.
"This is an exciting next step toward our clean energy future," said Malcolm Smoak, SWEPCO president and chief operating officer. "These new facilities tap into some of the best wind resources in the country and are directly connected to the transmission grid that serves SWEPCO customers."
SWEPCO's diverse energy resource mix currently includes 469 MW of wind energy under power purchase agreements with facilities in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.
To learn more about NCEF and SWEPCO's commitment to a greener future, visit SWEPCO.com/Clean-Energy.