FirstEnergy says it is wrapping up work on another project that the utility says will make service more reliable for more than 100,000 homes and businesses in Trumbull and Portage counties.

Rebuilding and modernization work is nearly complete on an existing 138-kilovolt power line that serves Ohio Edison customers.

Rebuilding nearly 140 wooden and steel structures and installing new, higher-capacity conductor wires will reinforce the line against severe weather and help reduce outages on the transmission system, according to the utility.

FirstEnergy says fiber optic cable also will be added for enhanced network communications, allowing grid operators to react more quickly and effectively to disturbances on the system.

The line extends approximately 20 miles to connect existing electric substations in Newton Falls and Ravenna.

Line construction began in May, and the project is on track to be completed by the end of this year.

"Investing in our infrastructure is crucial because it will help reduce the number of customers impacted by storm outages as well as shorten the length of outages when they do occur," said Ed Shuttleworth, regional president of Ohio Edison and Penn Power. "By rebuilding an existing line, we can enhance our ability to serve customers, better manage maintenance expenses, and minimize the project's impact on local communities and the environment."

The project is part of an investment initiative aimed at upgrading FirstEnergy's transmission facilities with advanced equipment and technologies that will reinforce the power grid and help reduce the frequency and duration of customer outages.

Since launching the initiative in 2014, FirstEnergy has achieved a 50% reduction in equipment-related transmission outages across its Ohio service area, as well as the Penn Power and West Penn Power territories in western Pennsylvania.

FirstEnergy announced last month it was completing another project designed to shorten the length of time that homes and businesses in Mahoning, Trumbull, and Columbiana counties experience power outages.

 

Twenty new automated reclosing devices will help limit the frequency, duration, and scope of service interruptions.