West Penn Power Connecting Two AES Solar Projects to Pennsylvania Electric Grid

West Penn Power, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., has started working to connect two of AES Corporation’s solar energy projects in Pennsylvania to the electric grid. The projects, located in Ayr Township and Peters and Saint Thomas Townships, will generate 220 MW of renewable energy designated for a customer purchase power agreement.

To connect the 70 MW solar farm in Ayr Township, West Penn Power will expand its Fulton County substation and add a new terminal.

To connect the 150 MW solar farm in Peters and Saint Thomas Townships, AES will build a 138 kV line from the solar farm to West Penn Power’s substation, which is currently under construction on McDowell Road. West Penn Power will also add a 378-foot loop to connect the substation to an existing 138 kV transmission line connecting its Guilford and McConnellsburg substations, which will receive upgrades to support the solar projects. 

All connection work is expected to be completed in late 2023, and the solar farms are expected to be in service in early 2024.

Both connection projects are part of FirstEnergy’s Energizing the Future initiative, which prioritizes upgrading the company’s transmission systems with equipment and technologies to reinforce power grids and reduce the frequency and duration of customer outages.

“We are pleased to work with AES to help facilitate the delivery of clean energy through connection of these new solar projects,” said Carl Bridenbaugh, FirstEnergy’s Vice President of Transmission. “This work aligns with FirstEnergy’s long-term strategy of pursuing opportunities that help enable the transition to a clean, resilient energy future.”