SHREVEPORT, La., Aug. 17, 2020 – Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO), an American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) company, is planning to install advanced digital meters for customers in Eureka Springs, Ark., in October 2020.
Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) will replace a now outdated metering system originally installed in 2002-2003. The advanced meters, also known as smart meters, are part of SWEPCO’s grid modernization initiatives.
The AMI system uses advanced metering and secure wireless technology to provide timely and accurate meter reading data. As SWEPCO adds new home energy management tools, the smart meters will give customers more information to manage their energy use and costs. The AMI meters also will enable future capabilities like faster response to new service connections and other service requests, as well as automatic detection of power outages for a quicker start to repairs.
The system serving Eureka Springs today was advanced when it was originally installed, but after many years of reliable service has become obsolete. It includes older equipment, with replacements or parts that are no longer manufactured, difficult to find or simply not available.
SWEPCO will provide information on the new system at SWEPCO.com/EurekaSpringsAMI, along with individual letters to customers, a virtual open house starting Aug. 31 on the website, social media and other communications.
SWEPCO will also provide advance written notification to individual customers prior to installation at their home or business. The project is expected to be completed in four to six weeks.
SWEPCO serves approximately 1,700 customers in Eureka Springs.
About Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO)
SWEPCO, an American Electric Power (AEP: NYSE) company, serves more than 543,000 customers in northwest and central Louisiana, northeast Texas and the Texas Panhandle, and western Arkansas. SWEPCO’s headquarters are in Shreveport, La. News releases and other information about SWEPCO can be found at SWEPCO.com. Connect with us at Facebook.com/SWEPCO, Twitter.com/SWEPCOnews, Instagram.com/swepco, Youtube.com/SWEPCOtv, LinkedIn.com/company/swepco and SWEPCOConnections.com.
About American Electric Power (AEP)
American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is focused on building a smarter energy infrastructure and delivering new technologies and custom energy solutions to our customers. AEP’s approximately 17,400 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 221,000 miles of distribution lines to efficiently deliver safe, reliable power to nearly 5.5 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 30,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 5,200 megawatts of renewable energy. AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in 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, AEP Energy Partners, AEP OnSite Partners, and AEP Renewables, which provide innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
SWEPCO Corporate Communications
Peter Main (479) 973-2526