FirstEnergy commences construction on EV infrastructure in Ohio
FirstEnergy has begun construction on a new transmission substation in Trumbull County, Ohio, to support the demands of the region’s expanding electric vehicle (EV) industry.
The new $19.6 million transmission infrastructure will provide electric service to Ultium Cells – an EV battery-cell manufacturing plant jointly backed by General Motors and South Korea’s LG Chem. The company’s 3 million-square-foot facility is expected to bring approximately 1,000 jobs to the area. In addition to supporting Ultium Cells, the new substation and line will also strengthen the regional transmission system.
The foundation work is underway and steel structures have been erected at the new substation in Lordstown. Further, crews are completing the construction of a half-mile power line to connect the new substation to an existing 138-kV line located nearby.
“With the EV industry bringing new employment and business development opportunities to the Mahoning Valley, FirstEnergy and Ohio Edison are keeping pace by upgrading our system to meet the growing demand for safe and reliable power,” Ed Shuttleworth, regional president of Ohio Edison and Penn Power, said. “This is an exciting time for EV development in our region and the entire country, and we’re proud to support work to help advance this industry while strengthening our system for customers in the area.”
The construction of a third high-voltage line in Lordstown is planned in April to accommodate Ultium Cells’ projected future energy needs and provide further reliability enhancements for customers.
FirstEnergy serves customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, and New York. The company’s transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.
