American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) has agreed to sell the 48MW Racine hydropower plant in Ohio, US, to Eagle Creek Renewable Energy. The sale of Racine – which is owned by AEP Generation Resources, the company's competitive generation affiliate – is expected to close in the second quarter of 2021 and is subject to approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
"The sale of Racine Plant is part of our ongoing strategic evaluation of our generating assets as we focus on our regulated business operations and invest in the infrastructure and energy innovations that bring value to our customers," said Nicholas K. Akins, AEP chairman, president and chief executive officer. "We continue to add new emission-free energy both in our regulated states and through contracted renewable projects that fit with our overall strategy and portfolio."
AEP Generation Resources has retired or sold all of its capacity, except for the 595MW Cardinal Plant Unit 1, which is set to retire in 2030, consistent with AEP's move to exit the competitive generation business.
Scotiabank is acting as AEP's financial advisor, and Porter Wright is serving as legal counsel for the sale process.
Eagle Creek Renewable Energy owns and operates 86 hydroelectric facilities in the US.