Potomac Edison Planning to Build New Substation at Frederick Data Campus

Rhea-AI Summary

Potomac Edison, a FirstEnergy subsidiary, has commenced plans for a high-voltage substation to supply power for the first phase of Quantum Frederick, a 2,100-acre data center campus in Frederick, Maryland. The 230-kilovolt substation will support an initial 240 megawatts of power, with design capacity for up to 1,000 megawatts for future phases. The project aligns with FirstEnergy's commitment to economic development, having attracted $5.4 billion in corporate investment in 2021. The substation plan is subject to regulatory review by various local and regional organizations.

Positive

• Construction of a high-voltage substation will support the new Quantum Frederick data center project.
• The substation has an initial capacity of 240 MW, expandable to 1,000 MW.
• FirstEnergy's initiatives have historically attracted $5.4 billion in corporate investment and nearly 22,000 new jobs.

Negative

• None.

New transmission project will support first phase of Quantum Frederick

WILLIAMSPORT, Md., Oct. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Potomac Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), has begun planning a new high-voltage transmission substation that will provide power for the first phase of Quantum Frederick, Quantum Loophole's 2,100-acre data center campus under development in Frederick, Maryland.           

The 230-kilovolt substation will be located near the center of the Quantum Frederick campus and is expected to support the 240 megawatts of power anticipated for its first phase. The substation yard design will accommodate up to 1,000 megawatts in future phases.

"Potomac Edison is pleased to be a part of this transformational development project that will generate significant economic benefits for the Frederick community and beyond," said Linda Moss, president of FirstEnergy's Maryland operations. "We have a long history of promoting economic development and helping to attract new jobs to our service area, and we look forward to energizing multiple phases of the Quantum Frederick campus over time."

In support of the project, Potomac Edison plans to reenergize an existing 230-kilovolt transmission line that previously served the property. The company will also install two transformers to convert the high-voltage power from the substation to a lower voltage that can be distributed to Quantum Frederick buildings.

The substation is subject to review by regional transmission organization PJM and its stakeholders, and various components of Potomac Edison's planned work are subject to review and approval by Frederick County and the Maryland Public Service Commission.

In late June, Quantum Loophole broke ground on critical infrastructure supporting the Quantum Frederick development, which is located at the former Alcoa Eastalco industrial property on Manor Woods Road. The master-planned campus will be connected to the Ashburn, Virginia, data center community by a massive fiber network called QLoop, a 40-mile hyperscale fiber ring capable of supporting more than 200,000 strands of fiber.

FirstEnergy was recently named by Site Selection magazine as one of the nation's leading utilities in promoting economic development for the fourth year in a row, helping to attract nearly 22,000 new jobs and $5.4 billion in third-party corporate facility investment in its six-state service area in 2021.

Potomac Edison serves about 275,000 customers in all or parts of Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard, Montgomery, and Washington counties. The company also serves about 151,000 customers in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Follow Potomac Edison at www.potomacedison.com, on Twitter @PotomacEdison, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PotomacEdison.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

 

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

FAQ

What is the purpose of the new Potomac Edison substation in Frederick, MD?

The new Potomac Edison substation is intended to provide power for the first phase of Quantum Frederick, a 2,100-acre data center campus.

What is the capacity of the new high-voltage substation being planned?

The new high-voltage substation will initially support 240 megawatts of power, with future capacity designed for up to 1,000 megawatts.

When was the announcement for the new substation made?

The announcement for the new substation was made on October 3, 2022.

Which company is responsible for the new substation project in Frederick, MD?

The new substation project is being planned by Potomac Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp.

How does the new substation project align with FirstEnergy's goals?

The project supports FirstEnergy's commitment to economic development, which has helped attract significant corporate investments and job creation.