February 21, 2020
By News Director Jared Atha
Oklahoma regulators have signed off on the $2 billion wind plan proposed by Public Service Company of Oklahoma that will bring more turbines to parts of Custer County.
Corporation Commissioners voted Wednesday to support the plan to add 675 megawatts of energy from three wind farms in northern and western Oklahoma to serve the utility’s customers.
PSO will own a share of the three wind farms to be known collectively as the North Central Energy Facilities, farms described Wednesday in a report by OK Energy Today.
The proposed North Central Energy Facilities are to be located in portions of seven counties in north central Oklahoma. Those counties are Custer, Alfalfa, Blaine, Garfield, Kingfisher, Major and Woods. The three wind farms represent a nearly $2 billion investment in Oklahoma. PSO’s 45.5% ownership share of the 1,485 MW project is projected to save PSO customers more than $1 billion, net of cost, during the time the wind farms are in service.
The commission approved a settlement agreement reached last December by PSO, the Corporation Commission, the Oklahoma Attorney General, some other utilities and consumer groups.
PSO president and chief operating officer Peggy Simmons says “Approval of this agreement will allow customers to have their energy needs met with affordable, Oklahoma wind energy and will add significant investment in the state.”
PSO’s partner in the proposal is sister company Southwestern Electric Power Company. Regulatory approval is pending for SWEPCO.
Source: PSO press release
