Associated Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Springfield, Missouri. Founded in 1961, Associated is the wholesale power provider for KAMO Power, a generation & transmission cooperative headquartered in Vinita, Oklahoma.

KAMO Power transmits the electricity to 17 distribution cooperatives – nine in Oklahoma and eight in Missouri, including East Central Oklahoma Electric Cooperative, which deliver electricity to rural members across the state.

Associated is a not-for-profit wholesale power generation cooperative that is owned and governed by the cooperatives we serve.

This project is a natural gas peaking unit, which will not run all the time, and is available to quick-start and run on-demand during periods of peak energy use to make sure members have reliable electric generation.

Peaking generation like this project supplements other forms of generation, like wind energy, which cannot generate power on demand.

The primary reason Associated is developing this new energy center is because electric use in Associated’s cooperative system continues to grow, especially during periods of peak demand in the winter and summer. Increases in economic development activity is another factor impacting growing demand for electricity across our system.

When considering potential locations for this energy center, proximity to natural gas supply lines and cooperative high-voltage transmission lines are key. This site best meets those requirements to construct the energy center at the lowest-cost possible to members.

The prioritized site in Creek County, Oklahoma, is going through regulatory approvals and permitting. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027 and will take approximately two years to complete.

Data centers and other large-load projects are expected to be one part of future electricity growth — but they are not the primary reason Associated is building this energy center. Demand from existing members has already been growing, and Associated’s forecasts anticipate that trend continuing.

Responsible long-term planning requires Associated to account for the likelihood that data centers or other economic development projects will likely locate within the cooperative system.

No, Bristow Energy Center will be operated as a peaking facility to provide power when needed, typically to serve surges in electricity use. The energy center will have quick-start capability to meet fluctuating energy demand, needing just 13 minutes to reach full capacity.

Peaking facilities reliably serve members during periods of peak energy use. Seasonal peak energy use typically occurs during very hot or very cold weather, while daily peaks tend to occur early in the morning and evening hours when people are at home and using larger appliances.

Yes, especially if you are a member of a rural electric cooperative. This new energy center will enable Associated to provide KAMO Power with a reliable power supply to meet increasing member demand. KAMO transmits this electricity to your local rural electric cooperative, which delivers the power to your home or business when needed most.

During peak construction, activities related to building the energy center will require 300-400 people. Traffic and activity during that phase will be noticeable, but of variable duration and only during construction. Transportation studies will be completed to minimize impacts and ensure roadway integrity is maintained.

After the unit is in-service, six to eight employees will operate the facility. Traffic impact will be minimal.

Modern natural gas generating units are designed to minimize noise, emissions and lighting. The unit will comply with all emissions requirements set forth by regulatory agencies responsible for that oversight.

The energy center will be equipped with features to reduce noise. Associated’s goal is to keep sound levels at homes in the vicinity equivalent to the volume of a typical person-to-person conversation.

The unit will be set back from the road and other property boundaries by several hundred feet. The tallest part of Bristow Energy Center will be approximately 140 feet tall.

Bristow Energy Center will employ 300-400 employees during construction and six to eight permanent employees will remain to operate the unit once commissioned. For the latest job postings, please visit www.aeci.org/careers or email bristowenergycenter@aeci.org with specific questions.

Project details and documentation can be found online at www.aeci.org/bristowenergycenter. Please email bristowenergycenter@aeci.org with any inquiries and answers will be provided as quickly as possible.