“The Turk plant is yet another example of AEP’s long history of advancing coal-fueled generating technologies. AEP built our nation’s first supercritical coal-fueled power plants decades ago. At Turk, we’ve deployed ultra-supercritical generating technology, and built one of the nation’s cleanest, most efficient pulverized coal generating plants,” said Nicholas K. Akins, president and CEO, AEP.
SWEPCO owns 73% (440 mw) of the $1.8 billion, Turk power plant. Co-owners are Arkansas Electric Cooperative, 12% for its 490,000 members; East Texas Electric Cooperative, 8% for its 178,000 customers; and Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority, 7%, serving 39 municipal electric systems in the state.
“This is a milestone addition of very efficient generation during SWEPCO’s 100th anniversary to help meet the growing energy needs of all SWEPCO customers, and we heartily thank our many supporters of the project these last six years,” said Venita McCellon-Allen, president and COO, SWEPCO. “We are so proud of the Turk plant because it demonstrates our commitment and ability to meet stringent environmental standards set by federal and state regulatory agencies.”
The Turk power plant will burn low-sulfur coal from the Powder River Basin in Wyoming. Tim Gross is the plant’s manager. The new facility is named for John W. Turk, Jr., who was president and CEO of SWEPCO from 1983-1988. A Texas native and graduate of the University of Texas, Turk worked for SWEPCO for 39 years. He passed away in 2009.
