(WJET/WFXP) — On Thursday, FirstEnergy received approval for its $1.42 billion investment for phase three of its Long-Term Infrastructure Improvement Plans. These funds will support work from 2025-2029 across FirstEnergy’s four Pennsylvania service areas.
Of these investments, Penelec will receive $538 million — the largest investment of the four PA service areas — to help improve the power grid infrastructure. The other service areas and their investments include: Met-Ed with $382 million, West Penn Power with $368 million, and Penn Power with $133 million.
According to FirstEnergy, this plan is part of Energize365, which is a multi-year grid evolution program aimed at creating a “smarter, more secure and resilient grid.” The program has $26 billion in planned investments between 2024 and 2028. These improvements will not only meet but also exceed reliability targets to help accommodate electric vehicles, clean energy sources, and power provided to homes and businesses.
The improvement project was originally approved in 2012 and has seen over a billion dollars in investments from 2016 to 2024. Since 2019, power outages and interruptions have dropped by 14% in the areas where the improvement work has been completed.
According to the press release, the plans will focus on two points: grid modernization and system resiliency.
Grid Modernization Projects:
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Installing protective devices such as automated reclosers and fuses to power lines and building tie lines between power line sections to isolate damage and quickly restore electric service to customers from unaffected parts of the system.
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Converting lower-voltage power lines to standard voltages to better regulate voltage and provide operational flexibility to reduce the duration of outages.
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Updating underground networks with new conduits, cable, transformers, vaults, manholes and switches.
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Replacing aging substation equipment with modern breakers and electronic relays that offer improved monitoring and operational capabilities.
System Resiliency Projects:
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Replacing aging poles and overhead wire.
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Replacing underground cable nearing the end of its useful life.
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Selectively placing distribution equipment underground where feasible to enhance reliability.
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Building new power lines to provide more sources to supply electricity to customers, enhancing operational flexibility.
These projects will be carried out alongside the annual tree trimming and vegetation management efforts.
Customers will not see a bill impact in 2025 since the first-year program costs have already been included in the rate review approved in November.
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