Washington (Platts)--24Oct2008

American Electric Power said it doesn't expect to have an estimate for
Cook-1's return to service until late November. The unit has been shut since
September 20, after vibrations damaged the main turbine, causing a hydrogen
leak that resulted in a fire in the main generator but resulted in little
damage, AEP said. The vibrations were likely caused by a broken low-pressure
turbine blade, it said. Initial inspections and disassembly of the main
turbine are complete, AEP said. The turbine rotors and other major components
have been shipped to the original manufacturers for engineering analysis and
repair, it said. AEP also said it expects to have cost estimates for the unit
by late next month. In a statement, Michael Morris, AEP's chairman, president
and CEO, said ?a significant portion of the cost? will be recovered through
the vendor warranty and the company?s insurance. AEP said the turbines causing
the vibration were installed in 2006 and are under warranty from the vendor.
The warranty provides for the replacement of the turbines if the damage was
caused by a defect in the design or assembly of the turbines. A root cause
analysis of the event is being completed. Cook-1 has three low-pressure
turbines manufactured by Siemens and one General Electric high-pressure
turbine and main generator.