popular articles

American Electric Power invests $1.7 billion to upgrade transmission network in PJM region

American Electric Power (AEP) and its affiliate Transource Energy will invest nearly $1.7 billion to improve reliability and transmission capacity across several states in the PJM region, including Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Please share:

American Electric Power (AEP) and its competitive affiliate, Transource Energy, have been selected by the PJM Interconnection Board to invest $1.7 billion in transmission system upgrades. These investments aim to enhance grid reliability and increase transmission capacity to meet growing energy demand in the region. The projects will span multiple states, including Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. These upgrades are part of the Regional Transmission Expansion Plan (RTEP), which envisions new infrastructure by 2029.

The PJM Board’s approval follows a submission process where transmission developers propose solutions to address forecasted grid needs. AEP, with its experience as the owner of North America’s largest transmission system, has submitted projects ranging from constructing new lines to upgrading existing infrastructure. Bill Fehrman, AEP’s President and CEO, stated that these investments are critical to supporting economic growth and ensuring reliable energy in the region.

Approximately $1.1 billion of this investment will go towards projects led by Transource Energy, which is partnering with Dominion Energy and FirstEnergy Transmission, LLC in a joint venture, Valley Link Transmission Company. This partnership will focus on building 765-kilovolt transmission lines in West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland. The remaining $600 million will be allocated to projects in Indiana, Ohio, and Virginia, overseen by AEP’s transmission subsidiaries.

These projects are currently in the early stages of development, and AEP is committed to collaborating with residents, local authorities, and other stakeholders throughout the process. The company emphasises the importance of this collaboration to ensure that the benefits of these projects are fully understood and incorporated into the planning decisions.

A strategic investment for the PJM region

The projects approved by PJM under the RTEP are designed to address high energy transmission demand in the region, which spans 13 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. This initiative highlights the need for rapid adaptation of energy infrastructure to keep pace with sustained demographic and economic growth, particularly in states like Virginia and Indiana.

Challenges and benefits for local communities

While transmission projects are essential for ensuring energy supply, they also come with challenges related to local acceptance. AEP and its partners are committed to working with communities to minimise the impact of these new infrastructures. Stakeholder engagement from the early planning stages is crucial to ensure that the projects are executed under the best possible conditions, both economically and environmentally.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

Donald Trump's aggressive trade policies and regulatory uncertainty in the United States are slowing investments in wind, solar, and energy storage, pushing the sector into a period of caution and market volatility.
The French government activates five funding mechanisms to support industrial decarbonisation projects through the France 2030 plan, targeting major sites, SMEs and high-emission industrial zones.
The French government activates five funding mechanisms to support industrial decarbonisation projects through the France 2030 plan, targeting major sites, SMEs and high-emission industrial zones.
Paris releases a new €400mn funding package to support industrial projects aimed at reducing emissions under the France 2030 programme.
Paris releases a new €400mn funding package to support industrial projects aimed at reducing emissions under the France 2030 programme.
The massive withdrawal of American financial support and the reduction of European aid could jeopardize energy projects in Africa, profoundly altering their financing structure and the continent's commitments.
The massive withdrawal of American financial support and the reduction of European aid could jeopardize energy projects in Africa, profoundly altering their financing structure and the continent's commitments.
The Vietnamese government has raised its renewable energy targets in a new version of its national energy plan, responding to continued growth in electricity demand.
A massive outage plunged Puerto Rico into darkness on Wednesday, leaving approximately 1.1 million households without electricity after an unexpected shutdown of all its power plants.
A massive outage plunged Puerto Rico into darkness on Wednesday, leaving approximately 1.1 million households without electricity after an unexpected shutdown of all its power plants.
The Czech Republic has ended its dependency on Russian oil after more than six decades, a major shift made in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The Czech Republic has ended its dependency on Russian oil after more than six decades, a major shift made in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The European power purchase agreement (PPA) market for renewables reached 19 GW of new capacity in 2024, with growing momentum for hybrid contracts including storage.
The European power purchase agreement (PPA) market for renewables reached 19 GW of new capacity in 2024, with growing momentum for hybrid contracts including storage.
Industry Minister Marc Ferracci criticised the Rassemblement National's stance on energy, accusing it of hindering planned investments in renewables in favour of fossil fuel imports.
Bill 69 sparks protests in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, where several organisations denounce a risk of privatising Quebec’s electricity sector.
Bill 69 sparks protests in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, where several organisations denounce a risk of privatising Quebec’s electricity sector.
Wind and solar energy accounted for nearly one-fifth of Türkiye’s electricity generation in 2024, according to an analysis by think tank Ember, driven by a strong increase in installed capacity.
Wind and solar energy accounted for nearly one-fifth of Türkiye’s electricity generation in 2024, according to an analysis by think tank Ember, driven by a strong increase in installed capacity.
The Acerez consortium has signed a 35-year agreement to build and operate over 240 km of high-voltage lines in Australia, marking the country's first public-private partnership in the sector.
The Acerez consortium has signed a 35-year agreement to build and operate over 240 km of high-voltage lines in Australia, marking the country's first public-private partnership in the sector.
France’s multi-year energy strategy shifts focus away from photovoltaics toward flexibility measures, including battery storage, to address growing imbalances in the electricity market.
France’s energy regulator unveils its first observatory dedicated to renewable electricity purchase agreements, highlighting a recent but still marginal growth compared to State-backed mechanisms.
France’s energy regulator unveils its first observatory dedicated to renewable electricity purchase agreements, highlighting a recent but still marginal growth compared to State-backed mechanisms.
The French government plans to adopt within two weeks a decree outlining the decade’s energy objectives, restarting nuclear power and preparing for a parliamentary debate on energy sovereignty.
The French government plans to adopt within two weeks a decree outlining the decade’s energy objectives, restarting nuclear power and preparing for a parliamentary debate on energy sovereignty.
The expansion of solar and wind capacity is multiplying hours of negative prices on European electricity markets, weakening the sector's economic balance while reshaping export and storage dynamics.
The expansion of solar and wind capacity is multiplying hours of negative prices on European electricity markets, weakening the sector's economic balance while reshaping export and storage dynamics.
The National Assembly will discuss national energy security on 28 April at the government’s request, in connection with the upcoming Multiannual Energy Programming covering the 2025-2035 period.
Despite a predominantly decarbonised electricity production, demand in Europe remains subdued, hindered by uncompetitive prices and limited industrial usage.
Despite a predominantly decarbonised electricity production, demand in Europe remains subdued, hindered by uncompetitive prices and limited industrial usage.
Data from think tank Ember reveals that fossil fuels accounted for just 49.2% of US electricity generation in March 2025, marking an unprecedented threshold.
Data from think tank Ember reveals that fossil fuels accounted for just 49.2% of US electricity generation in March 2025, marking an unprecedented threshold.
The global electricity mix shifted in 2024 with 40.9% of production from low-carbon sources, according to Ember, driven by historic solar power growth.
The global electricity mix shifted in 2024 with 40.9% of production from low-carbon sources, according to Ember, driven by historic solar power growth.
The French government finalises its new energy roadmap through 2035, balancing nuclear revival and selective expansion of renewables amid political tensions.
Burundi’s main opposition coalition warns of direct consequences from the energy crisis on the organisation of the June legislative elections.
Burundi’s main opposition coalition warns of direct consequences from the energy crisis on the organisation of the June legislative elections.
In Cienfuegos, Cuba is deploying an ambitious photovoltaic programme supported by China to reduce its dependence on oil and stabilise its failing power grid.
In Cienfuegos, Cuba is deploying an ambitious photovoltaic programme supported by China to reduce its dependence on oil and stabilise its failing power grid.
The Panama Canal Authority has approved a strategic gas pipeline project amid political tensions and diverging interests over regional energy control.
The Panama Canal Authority has approved a strategic gas pipeline project amid political tensions and diverging interests over regional energy control.

Advertising