# Big Sandy Peaker Plant

PJM Natural Gas Fired Combustion Turbine · https://askthegrid.com/assets/facilities/big-sandy-peaker-plant

Big Sandy Peaker Plant is a natural gas-fired power facility with 353.4 MW of EIA-reported nameplate capacity in Wayne County, West Virginia, registered as EIA Plant ID 55284. The plant's generating configuration is six natural-gas-fired simple-cycle combustion-turbine units using Pratt & Whitney FT8 Twin Pacs and each unit comprises two 25-MW combustion turbines and one 50-MW generator. The facility interconnects at an AEP-owned 138-kV transmission line leading to an AEP substation at 138 kV.

## Key facts

- Technology: Natural Gas Fired Combustion Turbine
- Power capacity: 353.4 MW
- Operating status: operating

## Grid and market context

- ISO/RTO: PJM
- Balancing authority: PJM Interconnection, LLC (PJM)
- Substation: an AEP-owned 138-kV transmission line leading to an AEP substation
- Point of interconnection: an AEP-owned 138-kV transmission line leading to an AEP substation
- Transmission owner: Appalachian Power Co.
- Interconnection voltage: 138 kV

## Source-backed facts

- Owner logo domain: middleriverpower.com — Middle River Power | Leading the Energy Transition · confidence: medium
- Identifiers: [{"value":"55284","system":"EIA plant ID"},{"value":"PJM Interconnection, LLC (PJM)","system":"RTO/ISO and balancing authority"},{"value":"BSG1, BSG2, BSG3, BSG4, BSG5, BSG6","system":"EIA generator IDs"},{"value":"32418571 AEP Big Sandy CT1; 32418573 AEP Big Sandy CT2; 324118575 AEP Big Sandy CT3; 32418577 AEP Big Sandy CT4; 32418579 AEP Big Sandy CT5; 32418581 AEP Big Sandy CT6","system":"PJM LMP node designations"},{"value":"01-17-000","system":"FERC exempt wholesale generator docket"},{"value":"ER01-2726-000","system":"FERC filing docket"},{"value":"00-0532-E-CN","system":"West Virginia PSC case"},{"value":"06-1912-E-CS-PC","system":"West Virginia PSC black-start case"},{"value":"N10","system":"PJM interconnection queue"}] — Federal Register :: Big Sandy Peaker Plant, LLC; Notice of Filing · confidence: medium
- Identifiers: [{"value":"55284","system":"EIA plant ID"},{"value":"PJM Interconnection, LLC (PJM)","system":"RTO/ISO and balancing authority"},{"value":"BSG1, BSG2, BSG3, BSG4, BSG5, BSG6","system":"EIA generator IDs"},{"value":"32418571 AEP Big Sandy CT1; 32418573 AEP Big Sandy CT2; 324118575 AEP Big Sandy CT3; 32418577 AEP Big Sandy CT4; 32418579 AEP Big Sandy CT5; 32418581 AEP Big Sandy CT6","system":"PJM LMP node designations"},{"value":"01-17-000","system":"FERC exempt wholesale generator docket"},{"value":"ER01-2726-000","system":"FERC filing docket"},{"value":"00-0532-E-CN","system":"West Virginia PSC case"},{"value":"06-1912-E-CS-PC","system":"West Virginia PSC black-start case"},{"value":"N10","system":"PJM interconnection queue"}] — - · confidence: medium
- Identifiers: [{"value":"55284","system":"EIA plant ID"},{"value":"PJM Interconnection, LLC (PJM)","system":"RTO/ISO and balancing authority"},{"value":"BSG1, BSG2, BSG3, BSG4, BSG5, BSG6","system":"EIA generator IDs"},{"value":"32418571 AEP Big Sandy CT1; 32418573 AEP Big Sandy CT2; 324118575 AEP Big Sandy CT3; 32418577 AEP Big Sandy CT4; 32418579 AEP Big Sandy CT5; 32418581 AEP Big Sandy CT6","system":"PJM LMP node designations"},{"value":"01-17-000","system":"FERC exempt wholesale generator docket"},{"value":"ER01-2726-000","system":"FERC filing docket"},{"value":"00-0532-E-CN","system":"West Virginia PSC case"},{"value":"06-1912-E-CS-PC","system":"West Virginia PSC black-start case"},{"value":"N10","system":"PJM interconnection queue"}] — INITIAL AND FINAL JOINT STAFF MEMORANDUM TO: SANDRA SQUIRE DATE: January 11,2007 Executive Secretary FROM: JOHN AUVILLE Staff Attorney RE: · confidence: medium
- Description: Big Sandy Peaker Plant is an operating natural-gas-fired simple-cycle facility in Kenova, Wayne County, West Virginia, within the PJM market. EIA-linked generator records identify six combustion-turbine generators, BSG1 through BSG6, totaling 353.4 MW of nameplate capacity. The facility commenced commercial operation in June 2001. Indiana Michigan Power has proposed acquiring the plant, but its April 2026 filing stated that IURC approval was still pending. — Middle River Power · confidence: medium
- Description: Big Sandy Peaker Plant is an operating natural-gas-fired simple-cycle facility in Kenova, Wayne County, West Virginia, within the PJM market. EIA-linked generator records identify six combustion-turbine generators, BSG1 through BSG6, totaling 353.4 MW of nameplate capacity. The facility commenced commercial operation in June 2001. Indiana Michigan Power has proposed acquiring the plant, but its April 2026 filing stated that IURC approval was still pending. — I&M Files for Additional Generation to Meet Customers' Immediate & Future Energy Needs · confidence: medium
- Identifiers.6: {"value":"00-0532-E-CN","system":"West Virginia PSC case"} — - · confidence: high
- Identifiers.7: {"value":"06-1912-E-CS-PC","system":"West Virginia PSC black-start case"} — INITIAL AND FINAL JOINT STAFF MEMORANDUM TO: SANDRA SQUIRE DATE: January 11,2007 Executive Secretary FROM: JOHN AUVILLE Staff Attorney RE: · confidence: medium
- Parties.2: {"relationship":"Owner / asset manager","name":"Middle River Power","official_url":"https://middleriverpower.com/"} — Middle River Power | Leading the Energy Transition · confidence: medium
- Parties.5: {"relationship":"Combustion-turbine OEM","name":"Pratt & Whitney","official_url":"https://www.prattwhitney.com/"} — - · confidence: medium
- Parties.8: {"relationship":"Proposed buyer, subject to IURC approval","name":"Indiana Michigan Power Company","official_url":"https://www.indianamichiganpower.com/"} — I&M Files for Additional Generation to Meet Customers' Immediate & Future Energy Needs · confidence: high
- Interconnection: Plant 138-kV substation and switchyard connected to an AEP-owned 138-kV transmission line leading to an AEP substation in Kentucky; the transmission/distribution owner is listed as Appalachian Power Co. (AEP). — - · confidence: medium
- Site acres: 45 — - · confidence: medium
- Unit configuration: Six natural-gas-fired simple-cycle combustion-turbine units using Pratt & Whitney FT8 Twin Pacs; each unit comprises two 25-MW combustion turbines and one 50-MW generator. — - · confidence: medium
- Product url: https://power.mhi.com/products/aerogasturbines/lineup/ft8sp — FT8® SWIFTPAC® | Mitsubishi Power · confidence: medium
- Kind: thermal — Middle River Power · confidence: high
- Manufacturer domain: power.mhi.com — FT8® SWIFTPAC® | Mitsubishi Power · confidence: medium
- Product family: FT8 Twin Pac — - · confidence: medium
- Manufacturer name: Pratt & Whitney (historical OEM; now Mitsubishi Power Aero) — - · confidence: medium
- Description: Big Sandy Peaker Plant is an operating natural-gas simple-cycle facility in Kenova, Wayne County, West Virginia, with six combustion-turbine generators totaling 353.4 MW of nameplate capacity. Middle River Power II, LLC operates the facility, while Middle River Power lists Big Sandy among its operating assets. Middle River dates commercial operation to June 2001; EIA-linked generator records list initial operation in July 2001, with BSG6 entering service in August 2001. Tenaska affiliates sold the plant through the TPF Genco portfolio to an Avenue Capital affiliate on April 7, 2016; Indiana Michigan Power entered a purchase-and-sale agreement in February 2026 and sought regulatory approval in April 2026, with closing expected in the second half of 2026. — Middle River Power · confidence: medium
- Description: Big Sandy Peaker Plant is an operating natural-gas simple-cycle facility in Kenova, Wayne County, West Virginia, with six combustion-turbine generators totaling 353.4 MW of nameplate capacity. Middle River Power II, LLC operates the facility, while Middle River Power lists Big Sandy among its operating assets. Middle River dates commercial operation to June 2001; EIA-linked generator records list initial operation in July 2001, with BSG6 entering service in August 2001. Tenaska affiliates sold the plant through the TPF Genco portfolio to an Avenue Capital affiliate on April 7, 2016; Indiana Michigan Power entered a purchase-and-sale agreement in February 2026 and sought regulatory approval in April 2026, with closing expected in the second half of 2026. — TPF Genco – Generation Assets Sale | Tenaska Capital · confidence: medium
- Description: Big Sandy Peaker Plant is an operating natural-gas simple-cycle facility in Kenova, Wayne County, West Virginia, with six combustion-turbine generators totaling 353.4 MW of nameplate capacity. Middle River Power II, LLC operates the facility, while Middle River Power lists Big Sandy among its operating assets. Middle River dates commercial operation to June 2001; EIA-linked generator records list initial operation in July 2001, with BSG6 entering service in August 2001. Tenaska affiliates sold the plant through the TPF Genco portfolio to an Avenue Capital affiliate on April 7, 2016; Indiana Michigan Power entered a purchase-and-sale agreement in February 2026 and sought regulatory approval in April 2026, with closing expected in the second half of 2026. — Source · confidence: medium
- Quality notes: ["Capacity figures vary by convention: EIA-linked records report 353.4 MW nameplate capacity, while Middle River describes the plant as nominally 300 MW and AEP/I&M filings describe a six-unit 318 MW facility.","Commercial-operation dates also vary by source: Middle River states June 2001, while EIA-linked records list July 2001 as the initial operation date and August 2001 for BSG6.","The operating records show six operating units and no completed uprate or derate; no retirement or repowering milestone is identified. The 2016 term loan was portfolio-level financing and was not allocated to Big Sandy separately."] — Middle River Power · confidence: medium
- Quality notes: ["Capacity figures vary by convention: EIA-linked records report 353.4 MW nameplate capacity, while Middle River describes the plant as nominally 300 MW and AEP/I&M filings describe a six-unit 318 MW facility.","Commercial-operation dates also vary by source: Middle River states June 2001, while EIA-linked records list July 2001 as the initial operation date and August 2001 for BSG6.","The operating records show six operating units and no completed uprate or derate; no retirement or repowering milestone is identified. The 2016 term loan was portfolio-level financing and was not allocated to Big Sandy separately."] — Source · confidence: medium
- Financing summary: Middle River's official timeline records a $270 million Term Loan B in October 2016 related to the acquisition of High Desert, Wolf Hills, and Big Sandy. It later records a refinancing in 2018 that placed High Desert into standalone financing and Big Sandy and Wolf Hills into a separate facility; the lender is not named. Tenaska's April 2016 release confirms the portfolio sale but does not disclose plant-level sale consideration or allocate a portfolio purchase price to Big Sandy. — Middle River Power | Leading the Energy Transition · confidence: medium
- Financing summary: Middle River's official timeline records a $270 million Term Loan B in October 2016 related to the acquisition of High Desert, Wolf Hills, and Big Sandy. It later records a refinancing in 2018 that placed High Desert into standalone financing and Big Sandy and Wolf Hills into a separate facility; the lender is not named. Tenaska's April 2016 release confirms the portfolio sale but does not disclose plant-level sale consideration or allocate a portfolio purchase price to Big Sandy. — TPF Genco – Generation Assets Sale | Tenaska Capital · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties.2: {"relationship":"Owner / asset manager","name":"Middle River Power","detail":"Lists Big Sandy among its operating assets and describes it as a natural-gas-fired simple-cycle plant in Kenova.","official_url":"https://middleriverpower.com/"} — Middle River Power · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties.6: {"relationship":"Proposed buyer","name":"Indiana Michigan Power Company","detail":"Entered into a purchase-and-sale agreement in February 2026 and filed for IURC approval in April 2026; the proposed acquisition had not yet closed as of the stated closing outlook.","official_url":"https://www.indianamichiganpower.com/"} — Source · confidence: high
- Commercial parties.6: {"relationship":"Proposed buyer","name":"Indiana Michigan Power Company","detail":"Entered into a purchase-and-sale agreement in February 2026 and filed for IURC approval in April 2026; the proposed acquisition had not yet closed as of the stated closing outlook.","official_url":"https://www.indianamichiganpower.com/"} — I&M Files for Additional Generation to Meet Customers'... · confidence: high
- Commercial parties.9: {"relationship":"Turbine supplier","name":"Mitsubishi Power Aero","detail":"Power-plant profile information identifies Mitsubishi Power Aero as the supplier of six FT8 Twin Pac gas turbines, each reported at 58.9 MW nameplate capacity.","official_url":"https://power.mhi.com/products/aerogasturbines/lineup/ft8mp"} — Power plant profile: Big Sandy Peaker Power Plant, US · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties.9: {"relationship":"Turbine supplier","name":"Mitsubishi Power Aero","detail":"Power-plant profile information identifies Mitsubishi Power Aero as the supplier of six FT8 Twin Pac gas turbines, each reported at 58.9 MW nameplate capacity.","official_url":"https://power.mhi.com/products/aerogasturbines/lineup/ft8mp"} — FT8® MOBILEPAC · confidence: medium
- Timeline.1: {"event":"Commercial operation","date":"2001-06","detail":"Middle River's asset description states that Big Sandy commenced commercial operation in June 2001."} — Middle River Power · confidence: medium
- Timeline.5: {"event":"Portfolio sale completed","date":"2016-04-07","detail":"Affiliates of Tenaska Capital Management completed the sale of the three remaining TPF Genco generation assets, including Big Sandy, to an affiliate of Avenue Capital. The portfolio represented approximately 1,380 MW of natural-gas capacity in CAISO and PJM."} — TPF Genco – Generation Assets Sale | Tenaska Capital · confidence: high
- Timeline.6: {"event":"Acquisition financing","date":"2016-10","detail":"Middle River's corporate timeline records a $270 million Term Loan B related to the acquisition of High Desert, Wolf Hills, and Big Sandy."} — Middle River Power | Leading the Energy Transition · confidence: high
- Timeline.7: {"event":"Portfolio refinancing","date":"2018","detail":"Middle River's timeline records refinancing that placed High Desert into standalone financing and Big Sandy and Wolf Hills into a separate facility."} — Middle River Power | Leading the Energy Transition · confidence: medium
- Timeline.8: {"event":"Purchase-and-sale agreement with Indiana Michigan Power","date":"2026-02","detail":"I&M entered into a purchase-and-sale agreement to acquire Big Sandy Peaker Plant, described in AEP's filing as a six-unit, 318 MW combustion-turbine facility."} — Source · confidence: high
- Timeline.9: {"event":"Regulatory approval request","date":"2026-04-30","detail":"Indiana Michigan Power requested Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission approval to acquire the plant. The proposed acquisition was expected to close in the second half of 2026."} — I&M Files for Additional Generation to Meet Customers'... · confidence: high
- Operating status: operating — Big Sandy Peaker Plant - Global Energy Monitor · confidence: medium

## Timeline

- 2000 — West Virginia construction authorization
  In Case No. 00-0532-E-CN, Big Sandy Peaker Plant, L. L. C. was authorized to construct and operate a 300 MW gas-fired wholesale generating station near Neal in Wayne County.
  Source: ORIGINAL (https://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/orders/ViewDocument.cfm?CaseActivityID=91739&Source=Archives)
- 2001-06 — Commercial operation
  Middle River's asset description states that Big Sandy commenced commercial operation in June 2001.
  Source: Middle River Power (https://middleriverpower.squarespace.com/)
- 2016-10 — Acquisition financing
  Middle River's corporate timeline records a $270 million Term Loan B related to the acquisition of High Desert, Wolf Hills, and Big Sandy.
  Source: Middle River Power | Leading the Energy Transition (https://middleriverpower.com/)
- 2026-02 — Purchase-and-sale agreement with Indiana Michigan Power
  I&M entered into a purchase-and-sale agreement to acquire Big Sandy Peaker Plant, described in AEP's filing as a six-unit, 318 MW combustion-turbine facility.
  Source: Source (https://docs.aep.com/docs/investors/AEP10Q20261Q.pdf)

## Sources

- [Middle River Power | Leading the Energy Transition](https://middleriverpower.com/) — middleriverpower.com · tier other
- [Federal Register :: Big Sandy Peaker Plant, LLC; Notice of Filing](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2001/08/10/01-20085/big-sandy-peaker-plant-llc-notice-of-filing) — federalregister.gov · tier regulatory
- [-](https://www.psc.state.wv.us/Scripts/WebDocket/ViewDocument.cfm?CaseActivityID=134414&NotType=%27WebDocket%27) — psc.state.wv.us · tier other
- [INITIAL AND FINAL JOINT STAFF MEMORANDUM TO: SANDRA SQUIRE DATE: January 11,2007 Executive Secretary FROM: JOHN AUVILLE Staff Attorney RE:](https://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/webdocket/ViewDocument.cfm?CaseActivityID=200712&NotType=%27WebDocket%27) — psc.state.wv.us · tier other
- [Middle River Power](https://middleriverpower.squarespace.com/) — middleriverpower.squarespace.com · tier other
- [March 8,2016 Via Hand Delivery Ingrid Ferrell, Executive ...](https://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewDocument.cfm?CaseActivityID=446118&NotType=%27WebDocket%27) — psc.state.wv.us · tier other
- [I&M Files for Additional Generation to Meet Customers' Immediate & Future Energy Needs](https://www.indianamichiganpower.com/company/news/view?releaseID=11898) — indianamichiganpower.com · tier other
- [Power plant profile: Big Sandy Peaker Power Plant, US](https://www.power-technology.com/data-insights/power-plant-profile-big-sandy-peaker-power-plant-us/) — power-technology.com · tier other
- [FT8® SWIFTPAC® | Mitsubishi Power](https://power.mhi.com/products/aerogasturbines/lineup/ft8sp) — power.mhi.com · tier other
- [TPF Genco – Generation Assets Sale | Tenaska Capital](https://tenaskacapital.com/tpf-genco-generation-assets-sale/) — tenaskacapital.com · tier other
- [Source](https://docs.aep.com/docs/investors/AEP10Q20261Q.pdf) — docs.aep.com · tier other
- [ORIGINAL](https://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/orders/ViewDocument.cfm?CaseActivityID=91739&Source=Archives) — psc.state.wv.us · tier other
- [FT8® MOBILEPAC](https://power.mhi.com/products/aerogasturbines/lineup/ft8mp) — power.mhi.com · tier other
- [Sheet1](https://www.pjm.com/-/media/DotCom/markets-ops/rpm/rpm-auction-info/2026-2027/2026-2027-rpm-existing-resource-list-post.xlsx) — pjm.com · tier other
- [Big Sandy Peaker Plant - Global Energy Monitor](https://www.gem.wiki/Big_Sandy_Peaker_Plant) — gem.wiki · tier other
- [Source](https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/articles/im-seeks-purchase-of-natural-gas-plant-to-meet-rising-demand) — insideindianabusiness.com · tier other

## Data quality

- Capacity figures vary by convention: EIA-linked records report 353.4 MW nameplate capacity, while Middle River describes the plant as nominally 300 MW and AEP/I&M filings describe a six-unit 318 MW facility. Commercial-operation dates also vary by source: Middle River states June 2001, while EIA-linked records list July 2001 as the initial operation date and August 2001 for BSG6. The operating records show six operating units and no completed uprate or derate; no retirement or repowering milestone is identified.

---

Canonical page: https://askthegrid.com/assets/facilities/big-sandy-peaker-plant

Source: Ask the Grid — https://askthegrid.com/