Regulators Kill Nation's Largest Wind Farm

Late last week, the American Electric Power Company (AEP) cancelled the nation’s largest wind farm. An AEP press release stated that Texas regulators killed the project.

The Wind Catcher project was to be massive. Planned for the Oklahoma panhandle, it would have consisted of more than 800 wind turbines. Wind Catcher would have produced more than 2,000 MW of power. The power would have been transmitted to 4 states – Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas.

Regulatory approval was required from all 4 states. Only Texas rejected the plan.

The total cost of the project was estimated at $4.5 billion, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

AEP expressed its disappointment to the cancellation. It nonetheless vowed to continue pushing for renewable energy: “We are investing in a cleaner, smarter energy system for our customers and will continue to pursue opportunities to provide the new energy resources and technology solutions that bring value to our customers.”

AEP plans to spend $24 billion over the next 3 years for advanced technologies.