New Illuminating Company Power Line to Improve Reliability for Avon Lake Customers

Rhea-AI Summary

FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) subsidiary The Illuminating Company is constructing a new power line to enhance service reliability for approximately 700 customers in Avon Lake, Lorain County. The project involves connecting customers to an upgraded substation with automated reclosing devices, which function like circuit breakers but can automatically restore power within seconds for certain outages.

The company is installing about 90 new utility poles and replacing a mile of aged underground wire, with project completion expected in June 2026. This initiative is part of Energize365, FirstEnergy's $26 billion grid evolution program planned for 2024-2028 across six states. The program aims to create a smarter, more secure power grid to meet current and future customer needs.

Positive

• Part of a substantial $26 billion grid evolution investment program (2024-2028)
• Implementation of automated technology to reduce outage duration and maintenance costs
• Infrastructure upgrade affecting 700 customers with potential for improved service reliability

Negative

• Significant capital expenditure required for infrastructure upgrades
• Extended project timeline until June 2026 for completion

AKRON, Ohio, Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Illuminating Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is constructing a new neighborhood power line that will help enhance electric service reliability for hundreds of customers in Lorain County, particularly during severe weather.

A video of FirstEnergy personnel explaining and performing this electrical work can be found on FirstEnergy's YouTube channel.

The new line will help prevent or minimize the impact of outages caused by wind and other factors by connecting about 700 customers in Avon Lake to a different, upgraded substation nearby. This substation includes automated reclosing devices to help limit the frequency, duration and scope of service interruptions.

The electrical devices work like a circuit breaker in a home that shuts off power when trouble occurs, with the added benefit of automatically reenergizing a substation or power line within seconds for certain types of outages to keep power safely flowing to customers. This technology is safer and more efficient because it often allows utility personnel to automatically restore service to customers instead of sending a crew to investigate.

Torrence Hinton, FirstEnergy's Ohio President: "This project is one of many targeted investments our company is making in local communities to continue delivering reliable and safe power to our customers. We have dozens of similar projects in the works that will make a large positive impact on the communities we serve."

Illuminating Company crews also began installing about 90 new utility poles at the end of 2024 and expect to fully complete the project in June 2026. The company is also replacing a mile of aged underground wire as a part of the job.

This work is part of Energize365, FirstEnergy's grid evolution program focused on investing $26 billion between 2024 and 2028 across its six-state footprint to create a smarter, more secure grid that delivers the power customers depend on today while also meeting the challenges of tomorrow.

The Illuminating Company serves more than 750,000 customers across Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties. Follow The Illuminating Company on X @IlluminatingCo and on Facebook at facebook.com/IlluminatingCo.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving more than six million customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at firstenergycorp.com and on X @FirstEnergyCorp.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

FAQ

What is FirstEnergy's (FE) $26 billion Energize365 program?

Energize365 is FirstEnergy's grid evolution program investing $26 billion between 2024-2028 across six states to create a smarter, more secure power grid that meets current and future customer needs.

How many customers will benefit from FE's new power line in Avon Lake?

The new power line will enhance electric service reliability for approximately 700 customers in Avon Lake, Lorain County.

When will FirstEnergy (FE) complete the Avon Lake power line project?

The project, which began with utility pole installation in late 2024, is expected to be fully completed in June 2026.

What automated technology is FE implementing in the Avon Lake project?

FE is implementing automated reclosing devices that function like circuit breakers but can automatically restore power within seconds for certain types of outages, reducing the need for manual intervention.

How many utility poles is FirstEnergy (FE) installing in the Avon Lake project?

The Illuminating Company crews are installing approximately 90 new utility poles as part of the project.