USA, Pennsylvania, Bern: FirstEnergy has started construction on a new power substation in Bern Township, alongside a nearly 6-km (4-mi) transmission line, as part of a long-planned upgrade to the local electricity network in Berks County.
The project, located near Reading Regional Airport, is designed to improve service reliability and speed up power restoration for more than 6,000 customers across Reading, Leesport and Bern Township. Construction began last month and the new infrastructure is expected to be in service before the end of the year.
FirstEnergy said the investment will reduce outages, increase network capacity and support future economic development in the area.
According to the company, the upgrade is comparable to expanding a two-lane road into a four-lane highway, allowing the system to handle higher demand and recover more quickly when faults occur. The $30 M project has the backing of Berks County commissioners and local development organisations.
Local officials said the new substation will provide the electrical capacity needed for existing businesses to expand and for new investment to take place, particularly around the airport area. Business representatives also highlighted the importance of resilient energy infrastructure for attracting and retaining companies.
FirstEnergy noted that the Bern Township project forms part of a wider programme to modernise the grid. The utility plans to invest $36 M between 2026 and 2030 to strengthen and digitise its electricity networks across the region.
Source: Reading Eagle
