Dive Brief:
- FirstEnergy plans to invest $2.8 billion in upgrading its transmission network, focusing on the 69-kV lines and substations that link high-voltage lines with the utility's distribution networks.
- The work is planned to occur between 2014 and 2017. Approximately 7,200 circuit miles of 69-kV lines will be evaluated and rebuilt as needed. More than 170 substations will be inspected and upgraded, along with 70,000 transmission structures.
- The project will add redundancy to the grid to improve the network's reliability. It will also increase FirstEnergy's load serving capability in areas where future economic growth is anticipated, particularly in Ohio's shale gas regions; create flexibility to restore service following storms; reduce line losses; and lower the company's overall costs to maintain the grid.
Dive Insight:
"Our work on the backbone of our network will focus on enhancing the service reliability to the communities, businesses and homes in our service areas," said Anthony Alexander, FirstEnergy president and CEO. "The average age for much of this equipment is more than 40 years old. Our goal is to replace outdated equipment with state-of-the-art 'smart' technology that can be operated remotely in order to help prevent some outages from occurring. And if an outage does occur, the new equipment can help reduce the number of customers who are affected, and shorten the duration."