Electric System upgrades begin in Erie County

FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company, doing business as Penelec, announced Thursday it had started upgrading its electric system in Erie County.

The FirstEnergy Corp. subsidiary said it would be installing automated reclosing devices and other equipment in substations across the county. The work is design to prevent lengthy service interruptions for the more than 8,000 customers in the area. Officials said the upgrades are part of a $26 billion investment into FirstEnergy’s electric grid evolution program called Energize 365. Between 2024 and 2028, the planned upgrades will create a smarter, more secure grid that will be more reliable and meet the needs of electric vehicles, as well as the electrification of homes and businesses.

“Substation upgrades play a major role in preventing power outages because they manage the flow of electricity to homes and businesses,” Scott Wyman, President of FirstEnergy’s Pennsylvania Operations. “This important work is part of our Long-Term Infrastructure Improvement Plan II, a $200 million initiative that will accelerate investments in our Penelec system over five years to help ensure continued reliable electric service for our customers.”

The upgrade will benefit customers in East Springfield, Erie City (west side), Fairview Township, Millcreek Township, Platea and western Erie County. Officials said the reclosing devices will help limit the frequency, duration and extent of service interruptions. The system upgrades will also include batteries to provide backup power, protective devices to safeguard sensitive components from lightning and insulators.

Penelec provides electricity to more than 597,000 customers within 17,600 square miles of northern and central Pennsylvania and western New York.