SWEPCO declared a settlement agreement for sanctioning Wind Catcher Energy Connection

Southwestern Electric Power company asserted a settlement agreement in the company’s request for sanctioning the proposed Wind Catcher Energy Connection project.

The settlement agreement includes SWEPCO, the Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC) General Staff, the Arkansas Attorney General, and Walmart Stores, Inc. and Sam’s West, Inc. By joint motion filed Feb. 20, the parties asked Commission members to approve the project under terms of the settlement agreement.

The $4.5 billion Wind Catcher project includes acquisition of a 2,000-megawatt wind farm under construction in the Oklahoma Panhandle and construction of a 360-mile dedicated generation tie line to the Tulsa area, where the existing electrical grid will deliver the wind energy to customers. SWEPCO will own 70 percent of the project. SWEPCO’s sister company, Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) will own 30 percent. The SWEPCO Arkansas jurisdiction share of the project investment is $607 million.

Venita McCellon-Allen, SWEPCO president and chief operating officer said “Our customers are looking to us to provide clean, reliable and cost-effective power. Wind Catcher will help companies, universities, cities and other customers meet their sustainability and renewable energy goals.”