AEP looking for more renewable power

Columbus, Ohio-based American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) announced today that its Oklahoma subsidiary, Public Service Co. of Oklahoma, has issued a request for proposals seeking long-term purchases of up to 200 megawatts of renewable resources.

AEP said the proposals must rely on commercially proven technologies, including wind, solar photovoltaic, biomass firing or co-firing of agricultural crops and all energy crops, hydro, landfill gas, biogas digesters, and biomass firing or co-firing of crop residues, animal waste and woody waste.

"This RFP continues our commitment to adding renewables, where they are most viable, to our generation portfolio," said Michael Morris, chairman, president and CEO of AEP. "In Oklahoma, we are already the largest provider of wind energy in the state with 392.5 megawatts of renewable generation serving our customers through long-term contracts."

"Adding another 200 megawatts of renewable generation will bring the renewable portion of our PSO generation capacity to more than 10 percent."

AEP said the new renewable power would fulfill a portion of Public Service Co. of Oklahoma's energy requirements consistent with its spring 2008 Integrated Resource Plan.

The company said it's also part of the plan, announced in 2007, for AEP to add 1,000 MW of new wind or renewable energy by 2011 (see AEP seeks proposals for 1,000 MW of wind power in eastern states).

Under the RFP, the new renewable generation for the Oklahoma unit must be operational by the end of 2010.