APCo receives approval to complete power grid improvements

The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) has approved Appalachian Power’s application to construct the Stuart Area Improvements Project. The project involves constructing several components in the next few years to benefit customers in Carroll, Floyd, Franklin, Henry and Patrick counties.

These upgrades provide a new power source for the region and increase electric reliability for customers. The project replaces deteriorating equipment that is 60 to 100 years old, upgrades equipment capacity, and adds four substations to improve the local distribution system.

“This project exemplifies Appalachian Power’s commitment to providing consistent, reliable power to customers, said Amanda Cox, external affairs manager for Appalachian Power. “The SCC’s approval of the Stuart Area Improvements Project is a critical step in our ability to make important improvements to southern Virginia’s power grid.”

Company officials expect construction to begin fall 2026 and last about three years. Some additional substation upgrades are expected in subsequent years. Appalachian Power’s right-of-way representative plans to contact landowners along the approved route to discuss next steps, which may include requesting property access to complete surveys, appraisals, geotechnical studies, and other work as appropriate.

Project representatives invite landowners and community members to learn about the project and project components by visiting the website at AppalachianPower.com/Stuart.

Appalachian Power has approximately 1.1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia, and Tennessee (as AEP Appalachian Power). It is part of American Electric Power, which is focused on building a smarter energy infrastructure and delivering new technologies and custom energy solutions.

AEP’s approximately 16,000 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 225,000 miles of distribution lines to efficiently deliver safe, reliable power to nearly 5.6 million customers in 11 states. AEP is also one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 291,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including 6,000 megawatts of renewable energy.