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The Illuminating Company's Enhancement of Electric Reliability in Lakewood

FirstEnergy Corp., the operator of The Illuminating Company, has proudly announced a notable achievement aimed at enhancing electric reliability in Lakewood and West Cleveland. The delivery of a new transformer to the Lakewood Substation represents a significant investment in the local electric infrastructure, intended to maintain and improve power delivery to homes and businesses in the area.

A Major Infrastructure Investment

Weighing in at approximately 55 tons, which is akin to nine adult elephants, this transformer was transported via truck all the way from Roanoke, Virginia—a journey of nearly 500 miles that spanned five days. The immense equipment was then delicately hoisted into place using a crane. This delivery marks a crucial part of The Illuminating Company’s extensive plan to fortify the local electric system and ensure reliable service for around 11,000 customers.

A second transformer of the same specifications is expected to arrive at a local service center by the end of June and will eventually be relocated to the Lakewood Substation during the summer.

Each transformer represents an investment of around $1.85 million which encompasses costs related to the equipment, transportation, and installation. According to Torrence Hinton, President of FirstEnergy Ohio, the arrival of these transformers stands as a pivotal move towards building a more robust and dependable electric system for the community, reinforcing their commitment to providing reliable power.

Benefits to the Community

Once both transformers are fully operational at the Lakewood Substation, it is anticipated that there will be notable enhancements in grid reliability. Customers may enjoy shorter outage durations and quicker power restoration times. The upgrades will also increase backup capacity, giving operational crews additional flexibility to manage loads effectively, particularly during peak demand periods or outages.

Additionally, these developments are not just limited to the immediate vicinity of the Lakewood Substation; surrounding communities could also see improvements. Enhanced capacity enables Lakewood’s circuits to potentially assist in the restoration of service to customers from neighboring substations experiencing outages, thereby fostering an overall enhancement in system reliability throughout the region.

Ongoing Upgrades and Their Impact

The installation of these transformers is part of a broader initiative already underway that aims to bolster reliability across the Lakewood area. Recent efforts have included:

• - Substation Upgrades: Replacement of all breakers at a local substation, which improves the equipment responsible for supplying power to Lakewood.
• - Neighborhood Equipment Enhancements: Crews are addressing voltage fluctuations in several neighborhoods and replacing aging equipment on utility poles to mitigate outage risks. Since October 2024, work has been completed on approximately 167 poles, significantly boosting reliability.
• - Smart Meter Deployment: Installation of smart meters is in progress, moving towards modernizing the electric system, allowing for automated readings, and improving the response time to outages.
• - Proactive Tree Maintenance: Necessary tree pruning has taken place in nearly 100 locations to minimize outages caused by falling limbs, which is a primary cause of outages in Ohio.

These proactive measures have already shown positive results, with the cumulative outage time for customers diminishing by an impressive 98% in December 2025 compared to the same month in 2024. Furthermore, the power lines connected to the Lakewood Substation have recorded an overall outage time reduction of 25%.

Looking Ahead

In the coming weeks, efforts to complete the transformer installation will proceed. The transformer installed this week is anticipated to be energized later this year, while the second transformer is scheduled for early next year. To ensure continued service during the construction phase, a mobile substation will remain operational until both transformers are fully installed and energized.

The Illuminating Company serves over 750,000 customers across multiple counties, including Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Lorain. The commitment to improving electric reliability is evident through these recent initiatives and ongoing efforts. By utilizing social media channels like X @IlluminatingCo and Facebook, the company aims to keep its customers informed and engaged with ongoing developments. With an unwavering dedication to integrity, safety, and operational excellence, FirstEnergy remains a cornerstone in powering the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, serving over six million customers across a vast network of electrical distribution systems.

For more detailed updates, visit FirstEnergy's website or follow them on X @FirstEnergyCorp.