FirstEnergy launches $368 M Westmoreland grid upgrade
FirstEnergy invests $368 M to strengthen the local network, adding smart technology and new equipment to improve service for nearly 5,000 customers.
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USA, Pennsylvania, Westmoreland County: FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company (FE PA), known locally as West Penn Power, is rebuilding a major section of the power grid in Westmoreland County with stronger equipment and modern automation to boost reliability for homes and businesses. When completed, the work is expected to reduce outages and speed up restoration for close to 5,000 customers in New Kensington, Arnold, and Lower Burrell.
Crews are reinforcing two key distribution lines: one along 7th Street Road between Lower Burrell and New Kensington, and another near Drey Street in Arnold, by installing more than a mile of higher-capacity wire designed to perform better during severe weather.
The upgrade package includes replacing over 50 wooden poles, 97 crossarms, 10 transformers, 22 fuses and 38 lightning-protection devices. Vegetation clearing is also under way to minimise tree-related damage. Eight remotely controlled reclosing switches are being added to automatically isolate faults, restore power within seconds for certain types of outages, and help crews pinpoint issues more quickly. A new tie line will link two circuits, allowing customers to be shifted between lines during repairs.
John Hawkins, President of FirstEnergy Pennsylvania, said the improvements strengthen resilience in an area that often faces weather-related disruptions: “New switches will allow thousands of customers to be transferred to a nearby line, keeping power on while repairs are made.”
The project began in August and is due for completion this month. It forms part of FE PA’s Long-Term Infrastructure Improvement Plan III, representing $368 M of investment in the West Penn service area. The wider Energize365 programme will see FirstEnergy invest $28 B between 2025 and 2029 to modernise the grid.
Source: FirstEnergy
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