FirstEnergy launches $600 million grid modernization program in Pennsylvania

FirstEnergy Corp. recently announced that it will conduct more than $600 million in transmission projects through 2018 in the company’s Pennsylvania Electric Company (Penelec) and Metropolitan Edison (Met-Ed) service areas.

Through its Energizing the Future initiative, FirstEnergy will commence approximately 336 projects through next year update or replace transmission lines, install new, smart technology, and add new equipment, digital communications and enhanced security features to dozens of electric substations.

“The transmission system is essential to delivering reliable electric service to the communities we serve,” Carl Bridenbaugh, vice president of transmission at FirstEnergy, said. “We expect that modernizing our transmission grid will boost the performance of our electric system and help prevent power outages.”

The first projects will focus on rebuilding transmission lines and reinforcing key substations so that future improvements can be made without interrupting service to customers. These projects include adding circuit breakers and other equipment to existing substations in Mifflin, Dauphin and Adams counties as well as upgrading a 230-kV line in northcentral Pennsylvania with new structures capable of carrying higher-capacity conductor wires.

FirstEnergy will construct the projects through its new transmission affiliate company, Mid-Atlantic Interstate Transmission, LLC (MAIT).

FirstEnergy launched Energizing the Future in 2014 and has invested approximately $4.2 billion over the past four years mainly in its Ohio service territory.