Big Upgrades Coming to Akron's East Side Mean Fewer Outages and Faster Restoration

Rhea-AI Summary

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) announced a major infrastructure upgrade project in East Akron to enhance electric service reliability for 12,000 Ohio Edison customers, including Summa Akron City Hospital. The project involves expanding a substation from 142,000 to 176,000 square feet and implementing advanced gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) technology.

The upgrade is part of FirstEnergy's $28 billion Energize365 investment program running from 2025 to 2029. Construction began in June and is expected to complete by end-2026, utilizing a temporary "shoo-fly" setup to maintain power during construction. The modernization will enable automatic power rerouting during outages, reducing service disruptions and restoration times.

Positive

• Part of a substantial $28 billion grid modernization investment program (2025-2029)
• Implementation of advanced GIS technology to improve service reliability
• Expansion project affects 12,000 customers including critical infrastructure (hospital)
• Project executed on existing property, minimizing community impact
• Temporary 'shoo-fly' setup ensures uninterrupted service during construction

Negative

• Extended construction timeline (completion by end of 2026)
• Significant capital expenditure required for infrastructure upgrades

Insights

Utility Infrastructure Analyst

FirstEnergy's $28B grid modernization investment includes East Akron substation upgrade, improving reliability for 12,000 customers including a hospital.

The East Akron substation expansion represents a strategic infrastructure investment that addresses a critical vulnerability in FirstEnergy's local grid architecture. Currently, the substation's design creates a single point of failure where problems on any of the five connected power lines can cause widespread outages. The implementation of gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) technology is particularly significant as it represents industry best practice for modern substations. GIS offers superior reliability in a more compact footprint while reducing maintenance requirements and extending equipment lifecycles.

This project's focus on serving Summa Akron City Hospital is noteworthy from a regulatory perspective, as utilities typically receive favorable treatment when investing in infrastructure that supports critical healthcare facilities. The substantial $28 billion Energize365 initiative signals FirstEnergy's commitment to systematic grid modernization across its six-state footprint through 2029, which should help the company navigate the increasingly complex regulatory environment focused on grid resilience.

The 'shoo-fly' workaround demonstrates effective project management that maintains service continuity during construction—a key performance metric for utilities. The 24% expansion of the substation footprint (from 142,000 to 176,000 square feet) shows FirstEnergy is building capacity for future load growth while utilizing existing property, avoiding costly land acquisition and minimizing community disruption. Investors should view this as part of a necessary modernization strategy to address aging infrastructure while positioning for future grid demands including distributed energy resources integration.

AKRON, Ohio, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A major upgrade is underway in East Akron that is set to make electric service more reliable and resilient for about 12,000 Ohio Edison customers, including Summa Akron City Hospital.

American Transmission Systems, Inc. (ATSI), a FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) subsidiary, is expanding and modernizing an East Akron substation to help reduce the number of outages and shorten the time it takes to restore power when issues do occur.

Smart Grid, Stronger Service

Right now, a single problem on any of the five power lines connected to the substation can leave all customers in the dark. But with new technology and equipment, the system will soon be able to detect issues and reroute electricity automatically so that fewer people lose power and those that do, get it back faster.

High-Tech Tools for a Modern Grid 

At the heart of the upgrade is gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), a compact high-tech system that safely manages electricity inside sealed, gas-filled enclosures. This setup helps extend equipment life, reduce the risk of outages and keep power flowing more smoothly.

Expanding for the Future 

To make room for the new equipment, the substation is expanding from about 142,000 square feet to about 176,000 square feet – roughly equivalent to 37 NBA basketball courts. The expansion is happening entirely on Ohio Edison-owned property, minimizing the impact on the surrounding community.

Construction began in June and is expected to wrap up by the end of 2026. In the meantime, crews are using a temporary setup called a "shoo-fly," a clever workaround that keeps power flowing while the real work gets done. A series of wooden poles and wires acts like a jumper cable to provide temporary power to the substation's 138-kV power line. This allows construction to move forward without interrupting service.

Mark Mroczynski, President of Transmission for FirstEnergy: "This project is about building a stronger, safer electric grid that can better handle unexpected events like car accidents or severe weather." 

Part of a Bigger Plan 

This project is part of Energize365, FirstEnergy's $28 billion investment program to modernize the electric grid across the footprint between 2025 and 2029. The goal: a smarter, more secure grid that meets the needs of today's customers and tomorrows.  

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 more than six million customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy on X @FirstEnergyCorp or online at firstenergycorp.com. 

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

FAQ

What is the scope of FirstEnergy's (NYSE: FE) East Akron substation upgrade project?

The project involves expanding the substation from 142,000 to 176,000 square feet and implementing gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) technology to improve service reliability for 12,000 Ohio Edison customers.

How much is FirstEnergy investing in its Energize365 program from 2025 to 2029?

FirstEnergy is investing $28 billion in the Energize365 program to modernize its electric grid across its service territory.

When will FirstEnergy's East Akron substation upgrade be completed?

Construction began in June 2025 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

How many customers will benefit from FirstEnergy's East Akron upgrade project?

The upgrade will benefit approximately 12,000 Ohio Edison customers, including Summa Akron City Hospital.

What technology is FirstEnergy using in the East Akron substation upgrade?

FirstEnergy is implementing gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), a compact high-tech system that manages electricity in sealed, gas-filled enclosures for improved reliability.