C LOSURES

Transitioning to a Sustainable Energy Future

AEP will close seven coal units over the next decade as part of its plans to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2045.

From 70% of AEP’s capacity in 2005 to about half today, coal’s share will decrease to 24% by 2030 as a result of these closures.

In making the difficult decision to close a coal plant, AEP focused on balancing the plant’s economic viability with other options for delivering power. Those options include a mix of renewable energy and natural gas, which provide reliable, secure and affordable energy to customers and benefits the environment.

Making the power grid more resilient using sustainable energy sources

In making the difficult decision to close a coal plant, AEP focused on balancing the plant’s remaining life and economic viability with other options for delivering power. Those options include a mix of renewable energy and natural gas, which provide reliable, secure and affordable energy to customers and benefits the environment.

The reliability of our power grid is tested when the demand for electricity is greater than the supply. This is true even when coal plants are in operation. The nation’s grid is a network of transmission lines that shifts supply from one geography to meet demand in another, and that has not changed with the transition to sustainable energy sources like wind and solar.

In fact, studies show the grid can make large shifts to variable renewable power without sacrificing reliability, and without the need for "backup" generation, while reducing costs by as much as 40 percent.

Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar already contribute 22.5% of the nation’s electrical generation, and is on track to supply up to 50% in less than 10 years.

Together with emerging technologies and growing investments in renewable energy sources, we’re meeting the need for cleaner and more affordable power.

From 70% of AEP’s capacity in 2005 to about half today, coal’s share will decrease to 24% by 2030 as a result of these closures.

Projected Regulated Resource Additions

Projected regulated resource additions current as of 6/30/2021. AEP operating companies will continue to develop Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs) over the near-term and long-term in collaboration with stakeholders.