A new substation built by Potomac Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., has begun operations in Morgan County, West Virginia. The facility is expected to improve power reliability for nearly 2,000 residents and businesses in the area.
Construction on the substation started in the summer of 2024 and was completed in September 2025. The project replaces an older substation that relied on a six-mile-long power line through challenging terrain. The new location is served by a more accessible power line, which is less likely to experience outages during severe weather.
Jim Myers, President of FirstEnergy’s West Virginia and Maryland operations, said: “This new substation will significantly elevate the standard of service for our customers. We’re building the foundation for the future with smarter, stronger infrastructure that keeps electricity flowing to homes and businesses in Morgan County and across our region.”
The upgrades include smart grid technology with automated devices that can detect problems, isolate them automatically, restore service remotely without sending out crews, and pinpoint outage locations to speed up repairs. These features are designed to reduce both the frequency and duration of outages for customers.
The older substation and its connecting power line will be removed as part of this project.
This development is part of Energize365, FirstEnergy’s $28 billion investment program aimed at modernizing its electric grid between 2025 and 2029 across five states. The company aims to create a smarter and more secure grid capable of meeting current needs as well as future growth.
Potomac Edison provides electric service to about 285,000 customers in several Maryland counties and approximately 155,000 customers in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle. FirstEnergy serves over six million customers across Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, and New York through one of the largest investor-owned electric systems in the country.
For more information about Potomac Edison visit potomacedison.com or follow their social media channels.
