Power System Upgrades Underway to Enhance Electric Service for West Virginia Residents and Businesses

Rhea-AI Summary

FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) subsidiary Mon Power is upgrading equipment at eight transmission substations in West Virginia to enhance electric service for over 13,000 customers. The project involves replacing existing equipment with new communication equipment and electrical relays to reduce the frequency and severity of power outages. The upgrades are taking place in Preston, Wood, Taylor, Roane, Braxton, and Hancock counties, with completion expected by year-end.

This initiative is part of FirstEnergy's Energize365 program, a multi-year grid evolution plan with planned investments of $26 billion between 2024 and 2028. The program aims to create a smarter, more secure grid to meet future challenges, including electric vehicle adoption and clean energy integration.

Positive

• Upgrading equipment at eight transmission substations to enhance service for 13,000+ customers
• Part of Energize365 program with $26 billion planned investments from 2024 to 2028
• Improvements aimed at reducing frequency and severity of power outages
• Enhancing system performance and contributing to economic stability in West Virginia

Negative

• None.

Insights

Utility Infrastructure Analyst

FirstEnergy's $26 billion Energize365 program, including these substation upgrades, represents a significant long-term investment in grid modernization. While beneficial for service reliability, the immediate financial impact on FE stock may be The program's multi-year nature suggests gradual implementation and cost recovery through regulated rate structures.

The focus on rural areas and 13,000 customers indicates a relatively small-scale project within FirstEnergy's broader operations. However, it aligns with the industry trend towards grid resilience and smart technology integration. Investors should monitor how effectively FirstEnergy executes these upgrades and whether they translate into measurable improvements in customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.

Energy Policy Analyst

This initiative aligns with broader energy policy goals of grid modernization and reliability enhancement. The upgrades, particularly the new relay technology, support the integration of clean energy sources and electrification efforts mentioned in the Energize365 program. This positions FirstEnergy favorably in the context of evolving regulatory landscapes that prioritize grid resilience and sustainability.

However, the regulatory environment in West Virginia will be important to watch. The ability to recover costs through rate adjustments will impact the financial viability of these investments. Investors should also consider how this project fits into FirstEnergy's overall strategy to adapt to changing energy policies and market dynamics in its multi-state service area.

New substation equipment to benefit more than 13,000 Mon Power customers in six counties

FAIRMONT, W.Va., Aug. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) electric company Mon Power is replacing and upgrading equipment at eight transmission substations in its West Virginia service territory to help prevent or minimize the impact of power outages for more than 13,000 customers who are served by high-voltage power lines connected to the substations.

The work involves replacing existing substation equipment with new communication equipment, including electrical relays containing technology that helps reduce the frequency and severity of potential outages caused by issues such as animal contacts and tree-related damage. The primary purpose of a relay is to protect the electrical system from too high of a voltage or current without causing unnecessary outages, allowing the safe operation of equipment to which it connects. 

The substations are located in the Kingwood, Parkersburg, Pruntytown, Spencer, Sutton and Weirton areas in Preston, Wood, Taylor, Roane, Braxton and Hancock counties, respectively. Mon Power started the upgrade projects in the spring and expects to complete the work by the end of the year.

Jim Myers, Vice President of First Energy's West Virginia and Maryland Operations: "By minimizing the impact of power outages, especially during severe weather in rural areas, we are helping ensure the delivery of reliable power to thousands of customers. These upgrades will not only enhance our system's performance but also contribute to the overall economic stability and well-being of the communities we serve in West Virginia."

This work builds upon system enhancements Mon Power completed last year at its substations in the Clarksburg and Fairview areas, which benefited more than 5,500 customers served by connecting transmission lines.

The projects are part of Energize365, a multi-year grid evolution program focused on transmission and distribution investments that will deliver the power FirstEnergy's customers depend on today while also meeting the challenges of tomorrow. With planned investments of $26 billion between 2024 and 2028, the program will create a smarter, more secure grid that will meet and exceed reliability targets and accommodate electric vehicles, the electrification of homes and businesses, and clean energy sources.

Mon Power serves about 395,000 customers in 34 West Virginia counties. Follow Mon Power at mon-power.com, on X, formerly known as Twitter, @MonPowerWV, and on Facebook at facebook.com/MonPowerWV. 

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 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 X @FirstEnergyCorp.

 

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

FAQ

What upgrades is FirstEnergy (FE) making to its West Virginia power system?

FirstEnergy's Mon Power is replacing and upgrading equipment at eight transmission substations in West Virginia, including new communication equipment and electrical relays, to enhance electric service and reduce power outages for over 13,000 customers.

How many customers will benefit from FirstEnergy's (FE) substation upgrades in West Virginia?

More than 13,000 Mon Power customers in six West Virginia counties will benefit from the substation equipment upgrades.

When does FirstEnergy (FE) expect to complete the West Virginia substation upgrades?

Mon Power, a FirstEnergy subsidiary, started the upgrade projects in spring 2024 and expects to complete the work by the end of the year.

What is FirstEnergy's (FE) Energize365 program?

Energize365 is FirstEnergy's multi-year grid evolution program focused on transmission and distribution investments, with planned investments of $26 billion between 2024 and 2028 to create a smarter, more secure grid.