Power development company Invenergy and General Electric Co. announced plans to build the largest wind farm in the United States in Oklahoma, part of a $4.5 billion project to provide electricity to 1.1 million utility customers in the region.
The 2-gigawatt Wind Catcher wind farm is under construction in the Oklahoma panhandle and will come online in 2020. The facility will be linked to a 350-mile dedicated power line that will send the wind farm's electricity to Tulsa.
American Electric Power Co. is asking utility regulators in Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma to approve plans to build the power line, which will serve customers of its Public Service Company of Oklahoma and Southwestern Electric Power Company regulated utility units.
The company estimated the project, called Wind Catcher Energy Connection, would support 4,000 direct and 4,400 indirect jobs annually during construction and 80 permanent jobs once operational. It also estimated it would contribute roughly $300 million in property taxes over its life.
Public Service Company of Oklahoma and Southwestern Electric Power Co. will partner on the Wind Catcher Energy Connection.