AEP Affiliates Selected to Complete Approximately $1.7 Billion of Transmission Investments in PJM Region

Rhea-AI Summary

American Electric Power (AEP) and its affiliate Transource Energy have been selected to invest approximately $1.7 billion in transmission system upgrades across the PJM region. The projects, approved by the PJM Board, will enhance reliability and power availability in Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Of the total investment, about $1.1 billion will be executed through Transource Energy's joint venture with Dominion Energy and FirstEnergy Transmission, called Valley Link Transmission Company. This includes two 765 kilovolt transmission lines across West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland. The remaining $600 million will be allocated to AEP's Transmission Companies and operating companies in Indiana, Ohio, and Virginia.

The projects, selected through the Regional Transmission Expansion Plan (RTEP) process, are scheduled to be in service by 2029. They range from constructing new lines and stations to upgrading existing power lines and replacing substation equipment.

Positive

• Secured $1.7B in new transmission projects
• Strategic partnership through Valley Link Transmission JV
• Projects address growing energy demand in key markets
• Guaranteed revenue stream through regulated transmission assets
• Strengthens market position in PJM region

Negative

• Long implementation timeline until 2029
• Significant capital expenditure required
• Project execution risks across multiple states
• Regulatory and stakeholder approval processes pending

Insights

Financial Analyst

AEP's $1.7 billion transmission investment announcement represents a significant strategic win in the competitive PJM bidding process, reinforcing the company's position as North America's premier transmission developer. This capital deployment addresses critical infrastructure needs across five states with completion targeted for 2029.

The investment breaks down into two components: $1.1 billion through Transource Energy (a joint venture with Dominion Energy and FirstEnergy) for high-voltage 765kV lines, and $600 million through AEP's regulated subsidiaries. These projects will likely receive FERC-regulated returns, which typically offer more favorable treatment than state-regulated assets, with returns generally in the 9.5-11% range depending on project specifics.

This announcement is particularly timely given the unprecedented growth in electricity demand driven by data centers, AI infrastructure, and broader electrification trends. PJM's accelerated timeline (completion by 2029) underscores the urgency of these grid enhancements.

For investors, these transmission assets offer several advantages over other utility investments:

• More stable, formula-based returns with less regulatory risk
• Critical positioning in the clean energy transition as renewable integration requires grid upgrades
• Natural hedge against economic cycles given the essential nature of transmission infrastructure
• Incremental 3% addition to AEP's rate base, supporting long-term earnings growth

This award demonstrates AEP's competitive advantages in transmission development and aligns perfectly with management's stated strategy of focusing capital on regulated investments with predictable returns. The company's ability to secure these projects through competitive bidding validates its technical expertise and cost efficiency in transmission development.

Energy Infrastructure Expert

This $1.7 billion transmission investment package represents one of the most significant grid enhancement initiatives in the PJM region in recent years, directly addressing the unprecedented electricity demand growth driven by data centers, manufacturing expansion, and electrification trends.

The technical specifications are particularly noteworthy - the inclusion of two 765kV transmission lines is especially significant. These ultra-high voltage lines, which are relatively rare in the U.S. transmission system, offer superior power transfer efficiency with approximately 30-40% lower losses than conventional 345kV lines when moving large power volumes across long distances. This efficiency becomes important as the grid increasingly needs to transport renewable energy from generation-rich to load-rich areas.

The 2029 in-service target reflects the complex reality of major transmission development timelines:

• 1-2 years for detailed engineering and design
• 2-3 years for permitting and right-of-way acquisition
• 2-3 years for construction and commissioning

These projects face significant execution challenges, including securing permits across multiple jurisdictions, potential supply chain constraints for specialized equipment like transformers (which can have 2-3 year lead times), and the engineering complexity of integrating new assets into the existing grid architecture.

The competitive selection through PJM's RTEP process is particularly telling - it indicates AEP's proposals offered superior technical solutions, cost efficiency, or execution capability compared to competing bids. This reinforces AEP's status as a premier transmission developer with the technical expertise to handle complex multi-state projects.

These investments align with broader federal policy initiatives supporting transmission expansion, including the Department of Energy's transmission facilitation program and FERC Order 1000, which promotes competitive transmission development. The projects will create a more resilient backbone for the eastern interconnection, enabling greater regional power sharing during extreme weather events and facilitating the integration of the substantial renewable energy pipeline in PJM's interconnection queue.

• Transmission system upgrades approved by PJM Board
• Investments will improve reliability and deliver more power to meet growing demand

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 27, 2025  /PRNewswire/ -- American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP), and its competitive transmission affiliate Transource Energy, LLC¹ (Transource Energy) will invest approximately $1.7 billion in transmission system upgrades to improve reliability and increase power availability in states throughout the PJM footprint including Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. The companies' proposals were selected by the PJM Board to address forecasted conditions that would create reliability concerns.

"Energy demand is growing at a pace our nation has not seen in decades. Building or upgrading our infrastructure to continue delivering reliable power is essential to fueling economic growth and meeting the needs of our customers," said Bill Fehrman, AEP president and chief executive officer. "Our experience building the largest transmission system in North America made us an ideal candidate to help address the needs that PJM identified during their planning process. Our teams are ready to get to work engaging with our communities and stakeholders and are excited about being part of powering additional economic development opportunities in the region."

These projects were proposed through the Regional Transmission Expansion Plan (RTEP) process. Through the RTEP process, PJM asks transmission developers to submit project solutions to address transmission system needs and then selects the proposals that offer optimal solutions. PJM is seeking projects in this window to be in service in 2029.

AEP submitted project proposals last year with solutions ranging from constructing new lines and new stations to upgrading existing power lines and replacing existing substation equipment. Collectively, these projects are crucial for ensuring reliable electric service, maintaining affordability and meeting future energy demands.

Of the $1.7 billion of investments, approximately $1.1 billion will be advanced through Transource Energy as part of a joint venture with Dominion Energy and FirstEnergy Transmission, LLC. The joint venture, Valley Link Transmission Company, LLC, was selected to develop several competitive transmission projects, including two 765 kilovolt transmission lines in West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland.

The remaining $600 million in projects were approved for AEP's Transmission Companies and operating companies in Indiana, Ohio and Virginia. All projects are in the early stages of development and the company is committed to collaborating with residents, local governments and other stakeholders in the project communities at every stage of the process. Engagement with stakeholders about the benefits of these projects is crucial as decision-making and planning progresses.

PJM is the regional transmission organization that coordinates the flow of wholesale electricity throughout a 13-state region and the District of Columbia.

ABOUT AEP

Our team at American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) is committed to improving our customers' lives with reliable, affordable power. We are investing $54 billion from 2025 through 2029 to enhance service for customers and support the growing energy needs of our communities. Our nearly 16,000 employees operate and maintain the nation's largest electric transmission system with 40,000 line miles, along with more than 225,000 miles of distribution lines to deliver energy to 5.6 million customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation's largest electricity producers with approximately 29,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity. We are focused on safety and operational excellence, creating value for our stakeholders and bringing opportunity to our service territory through economic development and community engagement. Our family of companies includes AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. AEP is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. For more information, visit aep.com.

¹ AEP participates in the competitive transmission space through Transource Energy, LLC, a jointly owned transmission company with Evergy, Inc., headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. AEP owns 86.5% interest in Transource Energy.

 

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SOURCE American Electric Power

FAQ

What is the total value of AEP's transmission investments announced in February 2025?

AEP announced approximately $1.7 billion in transmission system upgrades across the PJM region.

Which states will benefit from AEP's new transmission infrastructure projects?

The transmission upgrades will serve Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.

When will AEP's new transmission projects be operational?

PJM is seeking these projects to be in service by 2029.

How much of AEP's transmission investment will be handled by Valley Link Transmission Company?

Valley Link Transmission Company will handle approximately $1.1 billion of the total $1.7 billion investment.

What type of transmission projects will AEP implement in the PJM region?

Projects include new transmission lines, new stations, upgrades to existing power lines, and replacement of substation equipment.