American Electric Power (AEP) proposes building the first 765kV extra-high voltage transmission lines to connect major wind developments in the Dakotas and surrounding states to the existing 765kV network that ends near Chicago.
According to the company, the western terminus of the project would be near a 2,000MW wind generation project in North Dakota being developed by Hartland Wind Farm. Hartland will collaborate with AEP on development of the project.
The proposal is part of AEP’s vision of an expanded national transmission grid to support the development of renewable generation and efficiently use existing electricity production and delivery infrastructure, said AEP.
Michael Morris, chairman, president and CEO of AEP, said: “The Dakotas, Minnesota and Iowa have some of the best wind generation resources in the US, but the wind potential in this region cannot be developed unless we build a very efficient transmission superhighway to bring this clean, renewable generation to population and electricity load centers.”
American Electric Power is an electric utility in the United States, delivering electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP’s utility units operate as AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company.
