ST. MARYS, WV: American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP) is pleased to announce that Unit 1 at the Willow Island hydroelectric plant began commercial operation on Jan. 4, 2016. Unit 1 is now officially under the care, custody and control of AMP operations, and is already supplying the 79 participating AMP member communities in five states with power.

“AMP’s hydro projects represent a continued commitment to sustainable generation and a diversified member portfolio,” said Marc Gerken, PE, AMP president and CEO. “These facilities will help insulate us from future carbon regulations and will be a long-term benefit for our members.”

Combined, AMP’s four projects under various stages of construction and commissioning will add more than 300 megawatts (MW) of new hydropower. This represents the largest deployment of new run-of-the-river hydro in the nation. Other projects include facilities on the Cannelton and Smithland dams; along with the Meldahl dam, which AMP is developing in partnership with the City of Hamilton, Ohio. All four projects are on existing dams along the Ohio River.

“Although the recent river flooding has caused individual unit testing delays at Cannelton, Willow Island and Meldahl, we are projecting without further delays that these eight turbines/generators will be in commercial operation by the end of March 2016. Additionally, testing has so far yielded favorable performance,” Gerken said.

AMP would like to give its sincere thanks to all those who were involved in this significant Willow Island milestone. Efforts continue at the site on commissioning of Unit 2.

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