AEP TO BUILD NEW TRANSMISSION SERVICE CENTER IN PIKEVILLE
ASHLAND, Ky., February 18, 2019 – American Electric Power is expanding its transmission operations in Kentucky and investing $16.6 million in a new service center.
Ground preparation has begun for the 65,000 square-foot facility in Pikeville.
The new state-of-the-art center will be built on about 30 acres located less than a mile from the current Kentucky Power Service Center off U.S. Route 23 at Coal Run. The new facility will serve as a regional transmission center, providing service to eastern Kentucky and southern West Virginia.
“This project represents a significant investment in the region and will allow us to better serve both Kentucky Power and Appalachian Power customers,” said Archie Pugh, AEP’s managing director transmission field services. “The new transmission center will give our crews easier access to the equipment they need to maintain and repair the electric grid in the region.”
The new complex will free up space and reduce crowding in the current Kentucky Power Pikeville Service Center, which will continue to serve customers. In addition, the new facility will add meeting space and offices, as well as vehicle and equipment storage. The company plans to locate up to 65 employees in the facility.
Construction on the foundation is to begin in March and projected to be completed by June 2020. An open house will be planned for the community once the new building is in operation.
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Kentucky Power, with headquarters in Ashland, provides service to about 168,000 customers in all or part of 20 eastern Kentucky counties, including Boyd, Breathitt, Carter, Clay, Elliott, Floyd, Greenup, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Leslie, Letcher, Lewis, Magoffin, Martin, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Rowan. Kentucky Power is an operating company in the American Electric Power system, one of the largest electric utilities in the United States.
