A significant upgrade is underway in East Akron to enhance electric service reliability for approximately 12,000 Ohio Edison customers, including Summa Akron City Hospital. American Transmission Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., is expanding and modernizing an East Akron substation to reduce outages and improve power restoration times.
Currently, a single issue on any of the five power lines connected to the substation can result in widespread outages. The new technology will allow the system to detect problems and reroute electricity automatically, minimizing power loss duration.
The upgrade centers around gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), a compact system that manages electricity within sealed enclosures. This setup extends equipment life and reduces outage risks. To accommodate the new equipment, the substation will expand from 142,000 square feet to 176,000 square feet. The expansion occurs entirely on Ohio Edison-owned property to minimize community impact.
Construction began in June and is expected to conclude by the end of 2026. During this period, crews are using a temporary setup called a “shoo-fly” to maintain power flow while construction progresses.
Mark Mroczynski, President of Transmission for FirstEnergy, stated: “This project is about building a stronger, safer electric grid that can better handle unexpected events like car accidents or severe weather.”
This initiative is part of Energize365, FirstEnergy’s $28 billion investment program aimed at modernizing the electric grid between 2025 and 2029. The objective is to create a smarter and more secure grid for current and future needs.
FirstEnergy serves over six million customers across several states through its electric distribution companies. Its transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines connecting the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.
Contact information: News Media Contact: Lauren Siburkis at (330) 203-8850; Investor Contact: Karen Sagot at (330) 761-4286.
