AEP Transmission upgrades launch major Oklahoma rebuild cycle
AEP Transmission Co. obtained a $1.6 billion loan guarantee in October from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office to upgrade nearly 5,000 miles of transmission lines in five states, including Oklahoma. Additionally, Oklahoma Energy analysts note this marks one of the most aggressive federally-backed infrastructure modernization cycles in AEP history and positions Oklahoma grid assets for multi-year resilience upgrades.
Oklahoma Transco plans major reconstruction footprint
The Oklahoma Transco intends to eventually replace 1,434 miles of aging electric lines that serve 1.2 million customers. Seventeen improvement projects totaling 353 miles are scheduled initially in Oklahoma. These moves directly align with capacity reinforcement, reliability hardening and long-term transmission upgrades.
Those jobs will entail work in Comanche, Stephens, Kiowa, Caddo, Grady, Carter, Pittsburg, Johnston, Coal, Atoka, Latimer, LeFlore, Okfuskee, Washington, Osage, Rogers, and Tulsa counties.
Major Regional Project Clusters
South Lawton improvement scope
The South Lawton transmission improvement project is Public Service Co. of Oklahoma’s plan to rebuild approximately 13 miles of 138-kilovolt power line near the Goodyear tire manufacturing plant. Pre-construction activities are expected to start this fall, and construction will begin later this year. Crews will replace wood poles with steel poles approximately 90 feet tall. Construction is projected to conclude in summer 2027.
Lawton – Southwestern Power Station rebuild
The Lawton – Southwestern power station transmission line project will involve rebuilding about 36 miles of 138-kV line between Lawton and the Southwestern Power Station in Washita, Caddo County. PSO plans pre-construction access work this fall, followed by construction completion in early 2026. The project replaces 1960s poles with new steel structures to improve weather defense and system reliability.
Lawton Eastside to Sunnyside 345 kV rebuild
AEP Transco filed an application Oct. 14 with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission for a Certificate of Authority to rebuild the 70-mile high-voltage line between Lawton Eastside Substation and the OG&E Sunnyside Substation in Lone Grove. The project will involve steel pole replacement for 1940s-era wood poles to support long-term reliability in southern Oklahoma.
Additional Transmission Enhancements Statewide
South Chickasha transmission upgrades
PSO will rebuild about five miles of 138-kV transmission between the Cornville and Norge Road substations. Steel pole construction will reinforce the line and help handle higher load flows, driven by renewable development push in western Oklahoma.
Tuttle area reliability upgrade
In northeastern Grady County, PSO will build approximately 13.5 miles of new power line and a substation to improve power capacity and service quality. Construction is expected in 2026.
Okfuskee County rebuild
PSO intends to rebuild approximately 12 miles of 69-kV line between the Weleetka station and the Okemah substation. Pre-construction will start in 2026, with final placement expected in summer 2027.
Latimer + LeFlore County improvements
The Red Oak to Talihina line reconstruction will modernize 15 miles of transmission, replacing 1970s wood poles with steel poles and upgrading conductors and substation systems.
Bartlesville Comanche – Blake rebuild
Up to 17 miles of 69-kV line will be reconstructed to steel pole standard for improved storm resilience. Work begins 2028 and continues into 2029.
Catoosa – Northeastern Power Station upgrades
PSO will rebuild 11 miles of the 138-kV Catoosa corridor plus interconnection lines in Rogers County. Work begins in 2026.
Tulsa Metro transmission hardening
The Midtown Harvard rebuild will replace 8.5 miles of 138-kV line in midtown Tulsa, built originally in 1956. The North Yale Power Connect project will build a new 345-kV substation to serve North Tulsa economic expansion. The Riverside – South Hudson and Tulsa North – Pine & Peoria projects will reinforce south and north Tulsa grid layers through 2026 and 2027.
DOE loan supports regional load demand acceleration
AEP estimates that 1,100 construction jobs will be created through these projects. Energy demand is increasing across AEP’s footprint. Customers have committed to expansions requiring 24 gigawatts of electricity demand by decade end. This upgrade cycle supports AI, data center expansion, high-load digital infrastructure and new manufacturing zones, underscoring long-term demand growth.