Jacobs has been appointed by American Electric Power (AEP) to provide integrated programme delivery services for a planned $37 billion electricity transmission investment programme spanning seven US states over the next five years.
The appointment will see Jacobs support the planning, management, engineering and delivery of transmission infrastructure projects across Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia and Virginia.
The programme forms part of AEP’s wider investment in modernising and expanding its electricity transmission network to meet growing demand and strengthen the reliability and resilience of energy infrastructure.
Delivery activities are already underway, with Jacobs expected to increase its involvement as AEP’s project portfolio expands.
Integrated delivery model to support transmission projects
Jacobs will provide end-to-end project delivery services across AEP’s Eastern region transmission portfolio.
Its responsibilities will include project management, project controls, engineering and design, site selection, stakeholder engagement, right-of-way services and environmental management.
The appointment is intended to establish a more consistent approach to delivering transmission infrastructure projects across multiple states and locations.
AEP’s investment programme involves a geographically dispersed portfolio requiring coordination between engineering teams, landowners, regulatory stakeholders and construction delivery organisations.
Jacobs will support the standardisation of project management processes and delivery arrangements across the portfolio, helping AEP manage increasing volumes of transmission work.
Bob Pragada, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Jacobs, said growing electricity demand was driving the need for major infrastructure investment.
“Growing electricity demand is driving significant investment in the transmission infrastructure needed to support reliable, resilient energy systems,” he said.
“Our integrated delivery model will help AEP standardize and scale project delivery across its growing portfolio, advancing performance across critical transmission projects.”
Project controls and engineering central to five-year programme
The appointment places project controls and programme management at the centre of AEP’s planned transmission expansion.
Delivering multiple infrastructure projects across seven states requires coordination of schedules, engineering resources, environmental requirements and land access activities.
Jacobs’ responsibilities will cover these functions throughout the project lifecycle, from early planning and design through to delivery.
The integrated approach is intended to provide AEP with greater consistency in how projects are developed, monitored and executed.
The five-year programme will also require delivery resources to increase as projects progress through planning, design and construction.
Although the overall transmission investment is valued at $37 billion, Jacobs has not disclosed the financial value of its own appointment.
Jacobs to lead multidisciplinary delivery team
Jacobs will lead an integrated team comprising ORC, GFT and RC Commonwealth.
The partnership brings together expertise in engineering, programme delivery, right-of-way services and AEP’s established design standards.
ORC will contribute specialist right-of-way capabilities, while the wider team will support the engineering and delivery requirements associated with AEP’s transmission portfolio.
The collaboration is designed to provide a scalable delivery structure capable of supporting multiple projects simultaneously.
PA Consulting, part of Jacobs, will also contribute to innovation initiatives aligned with AEP’s longer-term strategic objectives.
The involvement of several specialist organisations reflects the range of technical and management disciplines required to deliver major electricity transmission programmes.
Appointment builds on major energy infrastructure experience
The AEP contract adds to Jacobs’ existing portfolio of electricity transmission and energy infrastructure assignments across North America.
The company is serving as Owner’s Engineer for Project Hostos, a proposed high-voltage direct current subsea electricity interconnector between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
Jacobs has also supported the Bonneville Power Administration’s Grand Coulee Modernization Program, involving improvements to major electricity infrastructure.
These assignments form part of the company’s wider work in transmission network development and modernisation.
The AEP appointment represents a further programme-level role, with Jacobs supporting a portfolio of projects rather than a single infrastructure asset.
AEP’s planned $37 billion investment will be delivered over the next five years, with Jacobs’ services expanding alongside the utility’s transmission project pipeline.
The agreement highlights the growing importance of integrated programme management, project controls and multidisciplinary delivery teams as electricity utilities undertake increasingly large and complex infrastructure investment programmes.
