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Mon Power and Potomac Edison: A Vision for Reliable Energy in West Virginia

On October 1, 2025, Mon Power and Potomac Edison, both subsidiaries of FirstEnergy Corp., detailed their Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) aimed at securing the energy needs of West Virginia over the next ten years. The IRP, submitted to the Public Service Commission of the state, presents a comprehensive approach to delivering cost-effective and reliable power to homes and businesses amidst a changing energy landscape.

West Virginia is seeing growth in various sectors that demand a consistent and dependable energy supply. Recognizing this evolving market, Mon Power and Potomac Edison’s plan is designed to ensure that they can meet this demand while remaining committed to affordability and local investment. As Jim Myers, FirstEnergy's President of West Virginia and Maryland, stated, this plan represents a long-term view of the state's energy future, reflecting meticulous analysis and planning.

Key Objectives of the Integrated Resource Plan

The IRP is guided by three primary goals:
1. Affordability: Keeping energy costs manageable for both families and businesses;
2. Reliability: Ensuring that power is available during peak demand;
3. Local Investment: Supporting investment that foster job creation while managing environmental impacts.

Mon Power and Potomac Edison's preferred plan is a balanced mix of existing generation resources complemented by new developments.

Preferred Plan Features

The key elements of the IRP include maintaining the operational viability of the Fort Martin Power Station and Harrison Power Station throughout the decade. The plan proposes exploring the addition of a significant 1,200-megawatt natural gas combined-cycle power unit expected to come online around 2031. Furthermore, the IRP incorporates the installation of 70 megawatts of utility-scale solar energy by 2028 to diversify energy sources, alongside short-term power purchases to ensure stability until these new resources are fully operational.

In a proactive response to the growing electricity demands driven largely by sectors such as data centers and advanced manufacturing, the plan stresses the importance of establishing dispatchable generation capacities that will enhance existing power plants.

Aligning with State Goals

This strategic framework also takes into account Governor Morrisey's ambitious initiative to increase West Virginia's energy capacity to 50 gigawatts by 2050, positioning the state as a pivotal player in energy innovation and infrastructure development. This vision underscores the importance of preparing the state's grid for future demands while fostering economic growth.

Mon Power serves approximately 395,000 customers across 34 counties in West Virginia, while Potomac Edison caters to around 285,000 customers in Maryland and an additional 155,000 in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle.

For ongoing updates, customers can follow Mon Power on their website mon-power.com, and on social media platforms such as X and Facebook. Similarly, Potomac Edison is active on potomacedison.com, X, and Facebook.

As the energy sector continues to evolve, FirstEnergy remains dedicated to its core values of integrity, safety, reliability, and operational excellence, serving over six million customers across multiple states and continuously seeking innovative solutions for sustainable energy distribution.