Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), an operating unit of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP), has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for 100 megawatts of wind energy for use by its customers from a facility to be built in the I&M service territory. The wind project is expected to be operational by the end of 2012.

Subject to regulatory approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and the Michigan Public Service Commission, I&M intends to have a 50 percent ownership interest in the project and enter into a long-term power purchase agreement with the successful bidder for the remaining 50 percent of the power generated from the wind facility. I&M currently purchases a total of 150 megawatts of wind power from the Fowler Ridge Wind Farm located in Benton and Tippecanoe Counties in Indiana.

Potential bidders are required to pre-qualify to submit a proposal into this RFP. Pre-Qualification forms are due on or before Feb. 2.  A copy of the RFP is available at http://www.indianamichiganpower.com/go/rfp, and questions about the qualification process may be sent by e-mail to I&MWindEnergyRFP2011@aep.com