American Electric Power (NASDAQ:AEP) (NASDAQ: AEP) is one of the largest investor-owned electric utilities in the United States. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, the company delivers electricity to approximately five million residential, commercial and industrial customers across 11 states. AEP’s integrated network encompasses power generation, transmission and distribution operations, allowing it to manage the flow of electricity from the point of production to end users under a regulated framework.
In its generation segment, AEP operates a diverse portfolio of energy assets, including coal- and natural gas-fired power plants alongside growing investments in wind and solar facilities. The transmission business maintains more than 40,000 circuit miles of high-voltage lines that connect regional grids, while the distribution arm serves local customer needs through lower-voltage networks and smart-grid technologies. AEP also participates in wholesale power markets, providing ancillary services and energy trading through its merchant operations.
Tracing its roots to early 20th-century power companies in Ohio, American Electric Power was formally established in its current holding‐company structure in 1984. Over subsequent decades, AEP expanded through mergers and acquisitions, extending its service territory from the Midwest into the South and Mid-Atlantic. The company has continued to modernize its infrastructure, investing in grid reliability, resilience against extreme weather and integration of renewable energy resources.
Under the leadership of President and Chief Executive Officer Nicholas K. Akins, who took the helm in 2011, AEP has pursued a strategy focused on sustainable growth and regulatory collaboration. The company serves customers in Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia, positioning itself as a key provider of reliable electricity and grid innovation across a broad swath of the eastern United States.
