FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company (FE PA), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. operating as Penelec in northwestern Pennsylvania, has energized a new transformer at a substation in Bradford. This move aims to enhance electric service reliability for over 1,000 customers in the area, including the University of Pittsburgh's Bradford campus.
The previous transformer at the substation faced issues last fall and was deemed irreparable. In response, a mobile substation provided temporary service until a replacement could be sourced and installed to ensure long-term grid stability.
John Hawkins, President of FirstEnergy Pennsylvania, stated: "Resolving this critical issue was a top priority so we could provide our customers – including industrial facilities and the local Pitt campus – with reliable electric service. We engineered a solution, identified a spare transformer capable of handling the electrical load and installed the unit. I am pleased to report the new transformer has been in service for more than two months and operating as designed."
The newly installed transformer measures 7-feet by 4-feet, stands 11 feet tall, and weighs nearly 40,000 pounds. A large crane was used to place it onto a concrete foundation within the substation. Additionally, electricians installed new cables to power its forced-air cooling fans that offer more capacity compared to its predecessor's natural air circulation system. Access improvements were also made to prevent utility trucks from blocking streets when entering through the front gate.
With this installation complete and functioning correctly, the mobile substation has been disconnected and is ready for future deployment if needed.
Photos capturing these developments are available on Flickr.
This project is part of Energize365—a multi-year initiative focused on transmission and distribution investments aimed at enhancing grid reliability while accommodating future challenges such as electric vehicles and clean energy sources. Planned investments total $26 billion between 2024 and 2028.
Earlier this year, Penelec completed significant forestry work around Bradford involving tree trimming along three power lines using about 40 contractors over two months. This effort removed approximately 1,400 trees that posed risks during severe winter storms.
Penelec serves roughly 597,000 customers across northern-central Pennsylvania and western New York within an area covering 17,600 square miles.
For further information or inquiries regarding this matter or related topics concerning FirstEnergy's operations contact Todd Meyers (News Media) at (724) 838-6650 or Gina Caskey (Investor Relations) at (330) 761-4185.