The Public Utility Commission of Texas rejected Southwestern Electric Power Company's (SWEPCO) plan to invest $1 billion in an Oklahoma wind farm, but the company says it will continue to move forward with the project nevertheless, Talk Business reported.

"It is disappointing that our customers in East Texas and the Panhandle will not have access to this major wind project, missing the opportunity for long-term cost savings and making it more difficult for business, residents and communities to meet their renewable energy goals,” Malcolm Smoak, SWEPCO president and chief operating officer, said, the news agency reported.

Smoak said that the PUC decision does not affect the project's full viability.

"We appreciate the approvals we received from the Arkansas Public Service Commission and the Louisiana Public Service Commission, and we look forward to bringing this low-cost renewable energy to our customers in Arkansas and Louisiana," Smoak told Talk Business.

SWEPCO's plans to add 810 megawatts of wind energy for Louisiana and Arkansas customers, but not Texas customers. 

Arkansas and Louisiana regulators in May approved the project to increase wind generating capacity allocation, Talk Business reported. Those customers are expected to save nearly $2 billion over the 30-year lifespan of the wind farms.

“We are grateful for the support this project received from our customers and communities in Texas and look forward to continuing to pursue renewable energy projects to serve them,” Smoak said. “It is our sincere hope that we will have another opportunity to bring our Texas customers more clean energy and cost savings.”

As part of the project, SWEPCO plans to acquire three wind facilities in Oklahoma in partnership with the Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSCO). SWEPCO and PSCO will purchase the wind facilities as they are completed over the next two years, the news agency reported.