FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company (FE PA), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. doing business as Met-Ed in southeastern Pennsylvania, recently energized a new transformer at its substation near Third and Willow streets in Lebanon. This initiative aims to enhance electric service reliability for more than 7,000 customers in the city, North Lebanon Township, and West Lebanon Township.
The previous transformer at the substation failed in early June and could not be repaired. A mobile substation provided temporary service until the new transformer was installed to ensure long-term grid stability.
John Hawkins, FirstEnergy's President for Pennsylvania, stated, "Resolving this critical issue was a top priority, and we expect this to strengthen the reliability of electric service provided to our Lebanon customers. We engineered a solution, identified a spare transformer with the capacity to handle the electrical load and put our crews to work to safely and quickly install the unit. I am pleased to report the new transformer is in-service and operating as designed."
The substation near Third and Willow streets is crucial as it supplies electricity to the underground distribution network powering much of Lebanon's downtown area.
The new transformer measures 13 feet tall by 12 feet wide and weighs over 100,000 pounds. A large crane hoisted it over the substation fence onto a concrete foundation. Electricians then connected it with electrical equipment housed within the substation's control building through newly installed underground conduits.
Crews worked extended hours for three weeks to connect the transformer before testing and calibrating it. The transformer was energized in late July. The mobile substation has since been disconnected and is ready for redeployment.
Further investments are planned at another Met-Ed substation in nearby West Lebanon. Engineers are preparing for another new transformer installation expected within 18 to 24 months.
This work is part of Energize365, a multi-year grid evolution program focused on transmission and distribution investments with planned investments of $26 billion between 2024 and 2028. The program aims to create a smarter, more secure grid that meets reliability targets while accommodating electric vehicles, home electrification, businesses, and clean energy sources.
Met-Ed serves approximately 592,000 customers within 3,300 square miles of eastern and southeastern Pennsylvania. Follow Met-Ed on X @Met Ed and on Facebook at facebook.com/MetEdElectric.
FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability, and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems serving customers across multiple states including Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, and New York. Visit FirstEnergy online at firstenergycorp.com or follow them on X @FirstEnergyCorp.
Photos of the new permanent transformer and mobile substation are available for download on Flickr.
News Media Contact: Todd Meyers at (724) 838-6650
Investor Contact: Gina Caskey at (330) 761-4185