FirstEnergy begins grid upgrade in Adams County
New substation and power line will boost reliability for 2,300 customers, including hospitals and emergency services, by early 2026.
Image for illustrative purposes
USA, Pennsylvania, Reading: FirstEnergy has launched a major power reliability project in Adams County, aimed at strengthening the grid for nearly 2,300 homes and businesses. The East Germantown–Germantown Reliability Project, led by Mid-Atlantic Interstate Transmission (MAIT), includes a new substation and 115-kV transmission line.
The system will serve essential facilities like Hanover Hospital, Alpha Fire Company, and WellSpan Health, and is expected to significantly reduce outages and speed up power restoration. The East Germantown Substation is set to be operational by March 2026.
The new high-voltage line, mostly supported by wood poles, will connect with the existing Germantown Substation. Once online, it will create a second power source and allow for smarter switching, helping crews reroute electricity during outages.
“By adding a second power source and improving switching capabilities, we are building a stronger grid that can better handle peak loads,” said John Hawkins, President of FirstEnergy Pennsylvania.
Officials say the upgrades will act like a backup generator for the community, keeping power flowing even during severe weather or high demand.
Careful route planning was carried out to minimise environmental and property impacts, and restoration work will continue through 2026.
The project is part of Energize365, FirstEnergy’s $28 B plan to modernise the grid between 2025 and 2029, building a more secure and responsive energy system for the future.
Source: www.mychesco.com
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