Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO), a branch of American Electric Power, reveals a series of upcoming energy generation initiatives, pending regulatory endorsements. These projects aim to bolster SWEPCO's comprehensive energy portfolio with the inclusion of natural gas facilities along with new wind and solar farms, addressing increasing customer capacity demands both efficiently and cost-effectively.
SWEPCO's Power Generation Portfolio
The integration of these new generation plants is critical to satisfying both current and future customer energy requirements. As part of its commitment to providing reliable and affordable power, SWEPCO plans to construct a 450-Megawatt (MW) natural gas facility at the site of a previously decommissioned plant in Hallsville, Texas. Natural gas, representing 48% of SWEPCO's existing power generation, plays a pivotal role nationwide in electric generation, offering rapid, reliable energy solutions.
New Natural Gas Initiatives
The proposed 450-MW Hallsville Natural Gas Plant marks a significant development at the retired H.W. Pirkey Power Plant site, anticipated to commence operations in 2027, contingent upon approval from utility regulators in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. This facility will feature two GE combustion gas turbine generators, utilizing existing infrastructure to optimize costs. Additionally, SWEPCO is planning a 1,053-MW conversion project at the Welsh Power Plant, designed to transition existing coal boilers to natural gas by 2028, subject to regulatory consent.
Ongoing Renewable Energy Projects
SWEPCO is progressing with several renewable projects including the 200-MW Diversion Wind Farm in Baylor County, Texas, expected to be operational by December 2024. Also underway is the 598-MW Wagon Wheel Wind Facility across several counties in Oklahoma, projected to start by December 2025. Moreover, the completion of a 72.5-MW Rocking R Solar Facility in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, will provide energy to approximately 12,000 homes annually, although SWEPCO will purchase rather than own its output.
Strategic Energy Supply Commitment
These strategic initiatives underscore SWEPCO's dedication to delivering a dependable energy supply while adapting to the changing needs of its customers. SWEPCO President and COO Brett Mattison emphasized the importance of a diversified generation portfolio in continuing service and technological advance. "As we enter this era of technological transformation, our customers need an energy system capable of delivering reliable, affordable, and environmentally sustainable power whenever and wherever it is needed," stated Mattison.
Adapting to Dynamic Electricity Demands
Supplementing these projects, SWEPCO has arranged a short-term capacity agreement with a natural gas facility in Texas following a competitive bid. This agreement will serve as a transitional support towards more permanent resource additions. "Through these endeavors, SWEPCO remains dedicated to providing a robust energy supply that meets the dynamic electricity demands of the communities we serve," Mattison added.
Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO), a subsidiary of American Electric Power, is excited to announce the ongoing development of several new generation projects, pending regulatory approval.
These initiatives are designed to enhance SWEPCO's diverse energy portfolio by adding natural gas facilities alongside new wind and solar farms, addressing the growing capacity demands of the customers in a cost-effective manner.
SWEPCO’s existing power generation portfolio
Integrating these generation plants is essential to meet customer needs both now and in the future
As part of the company’s vision to improve customers’ lives with reliable and affordable power, the announcement includes the future development of a 450-Megawatt (MW) natural gas plant to be located at a previously retired plant site in Hallsville, Texas.
Natural gas is the pioneering fuel for electric generation nationwide, accounting for 48% of SWEPCO’s existing power generation portfolio. Its turbines offer a reliable and dispatchable energy source, capable of ramping up within minutes.
Due in large part to the evolving reserve requirements set by the Southwest Power Pool, SWEPCO anticipates an increasing capacity need. Integrating these generation plants is essential to meet customer needs both now and in the future.
New Proposed Natural Gas Projects
- 450-MW Hallsville Natural Gas Plant: SWEPCO is initiating a transformative project at the site of the retired H.W. Pirkey Power Plant. This facility is expected to begin operations in 2027, pending regulatory approval from utility regulators in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas, as detailed in filings submitted on Dec. 17. The Hallsville Natural Gas Plant will feature two General Electric combustion gas turbine generators and will utilize existing water intake structures and site infrastructure to minimize project costs.
- 1,053-MW Welsh Natural Gas Conversion Project: On Dec. 17, SWEPCO also submitted filings for a fuel conversion project at the Welsh Power Plant, located northwest of Cason, Texas. Pending regulatory approval, this initiative will convert the existing coal-fired boilers of Units 1 and 3 to burn natural gas, with Unit 1 conversion anticipated in 2028 and Unit 3 in 2027.
Renewable Projects Under Construction
- 200-MW Diversion Wind Farm: Located in Baylor County, Texas and scheduled to begin operations in December 2024.
- 598-MW Wagon Wheel Wind Facility: This project, spanning Garfield, Kingfisher, Logan, Payne, and Noble counties in Oklahoma, is making steady progress, with officials estimating it to be operational in December 2025.
- 72.5-MW Rocking R Solar Facility: SWEPCO’s first utility scale solar energy resource is nearing completion in Caddo Parish, Louisiana. SWEPCO will not own this facility and will instead purchase the output of the facility via a purchase power agreement. The solar farm will generate enough energy to power approximately 12,000 homes each year.
SWEPCO strategic initiatives
SWEPCO is committed to ensuring a reliable energy supply while effectively meeting the evolving needs of its clients
Through these strategic initiatives, SWEPCO is committed to ensuring a reliable energy supply while effectively meeting the evolving needs of its customers.
“The future growth of new technologies and continued service to our customers are priorities that will require a diverse generation portfolio,” stated Brett Mattison, SWEPCO President and Chief Operating Officer.
“As we enter this era of technological transformation, our customers need an energy system capable of delivering reliable, affordable, and environmentally sustainable power whenever and wherever it is needed. Each of these projects represents an important addition to our generation fleet in service to our customers.”
Demands of dynamic electricity
In addition to these projects, SWEPCO has selected a short-term capacity agreement with a natural gas facility in Texas as part of a competitive bid process. The agreement will help serve as a bridge to more permanent resource additions.
“Through these endeavors, SWEPCO remains dedicated to providing a robust energy supply that meets the dynamic electricity demands of the communities we serve,” Mattison added.
