Southwestern Electric Power Company (Swepco) announced that two simple-cycle, natural gas-fueled combustion turbines were in commercial operation and that the units have an initial combined capacity of 150MW. Capacity is expected to increase by 20MW to a combined capacity of 170MW after further tests are conducted.

The utility had earlier begun the commercial operation of units 3 and 4 in 2007. The two turbines also had an initial combined capacity of 150MW. After testing is completed on additional equipment in spring 2008, the capacity of the two units will also increase by 20MW to a combined capacity of 170MW.

Swepco said that the four units in the $131 million project will have a total capacity of 340MW when completed.