New Electric Substation: Powering Lebanon County's Growth

As Lebanon County continues to grow, so does its demand for electricity. To meet this increasing need, FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company (FE PA) is building a new electric substation off Route 422 in South Annville Township. This strategic investment will not only supply power to new warehouse facilities in the growing industrial complex but also enhance service reliability for over 2,100 Met-Ed customers in Annville, South Annville Township, and Palmyra.

The new substation, expected to be completed by early 2025, will feature a 69-kV-to-13.2-kV transformer, the heart of the substation, weighing over 100,000 pounds and measuring 13.5-feet tall by 20-feet wide. Two short power lines will exit the substation, with plans to expand and build a third line in the future. These improvements will provide a backup power feed, helping to keep the lights on for nearby customers if wires or equipment on their regular line are damaged or need to be taken out of service.



In parallel with the substation work, contractors are constructing a new 69-kV transmission line to supply the new substation with power from an existing transmission line. This line will be attached to 16 steel poles standing 45 to 70 feet tall, further bolstering the grid's resilience.

The work is part of FirstEnergy's Energize365 program, a multi-year grid evolution initiative 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 will meet and exceed reliability targets and accommodate electric vehicles, the electrification of homes and 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 for updates on this and other projects.

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 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. Visit FirstEnergy online at firstenergycorp.com and follow FirstEnergy on X @FirstEnergyCorp for more information.

As Lebanon County continues to grow and develop, the new electric substation will play a crucial role in powering its progress. By enhancing service reliability and accommodating increased electrical load growth, this strategic investment will help ensure that the region's energy needs are met well into the future.