Southwestern Electric Power Co., an American Electric Power company, got its regulatory approval for a power purchase agreement (PPA) to add 72.5 MW of solar energy. The facility will be SWEPCO’s first solar energy resource.
SWEPCO announced plans in February 2022 for the project – named Rocking R Solar Facility. The Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) approved the proposal in September, followed by approval from the Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC) in November.
Rocking R is to be constructed by D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI) and will be located in SWEPCO’s service territory, north of Shreveport, La.
“The Rocking R solar facility will provide more efficient and affordable energy to our customers at a fixed price unaffected by fluctuating fuel prices,” said Malcolm Smoak, SWEPCO president and chief operating officer. “This is a benefit to customers and our communities, as the addition of clean, renewable energy will help make us more competitive for economic development opportunities.”
SWEPCO’s long-term strategy calls for more than one-third of its accredited capacity to be satisfied with wind and solar resources. Currently, SWEPCO’s resource mix includes 21% wind, 39% natural gas and 40% coal/lignite. The company added 809 MW of wind energy to its generation mix with the March 2022 completion of the third and largest wind facility located at the North Central Energy Facilities in Oklahoma.
In May, SWEPCO announced plans to add 999 MW of renewable energy by the end of 2025. The projects, subject to regulatory approval, consist of one solar and two wind facilities to be located in Louisiana, Texas and Oklahoma.
