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The Illuminating Company's Commitment to Electric Reliability

The Illuminating Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., has recently marked a major achievement in its ongoing efforts to enhance electric reliability in the Lakewood area of Ohio. With the delivery of its first new transformer to the Lakewood Substation, the company is poised to provide better service to approximately 11,000 customers. This upgrade not only signifies a critical improvement in the local electric system but also represents a substantial investment in the community’s future.

A Significant Milestone in Electric Infrastructure

Transformers play a vital role in the delivery of electricity. They help regulate voltage and ensure that power reaches homes and businesses safely. The newly installed transformer, weighing an impressive 55 tons—equivalent to nine adult elephants—was transported from Roanoke, Virginia, covering nearly 500 miles over five days before being lifted into place by a crane at the substation located on Athens Avenue.

Following this, a second transformer will be delivered to a local service center on June 29, which will ultimately be moved to the substation later this summer. Each transformer reflects an investment of about $1.85 million, comprising equipment, transportation, and installation costs.

Torrence Hinton, President of FirstEnergy Ohio, highlighted the importance of this project: "The delivery of these transformers is an important step in building a stronger, more resilient electric system for Lakewood. Our customers depend on reliable power, and these investments will help us deliver on that commitment and support the community's future needs."

Enhancing Grid Reliability for Better Service

Once both transformers are operational at the Lakewood Substation, residents can expect significant improvements in grid reliability. This includes enhancements that promise to reduce outage durations and expedite service restoration times. The substation will gain increased backup capacity, empowering crews with greater flexibility in managing loads and restoring power efficiently during outages or peak demand periods.

Moreover, the updated substation infrastructure is not just a boon for Lakewood; it may also support surrounding communities. Increased capacity and flexibility can allow Lakewood circuits to restore service to customers supplied by neighboring substations during outages, thereby strengthening overall system reliability in the region.

Comprehensive Upgrades Already in Progress

This transformer installation is part of a broader strategy aimed at upgrading the electric infrastructure in Lakewood. Other initiatives already underway include:

• - Substation Upgrades: All four breakers at a Lakewood-serving substation have been replaced, reinforcing the infrastructure that supplies power to the area.
• - Neighborhood Equipment Enhancements: Crews have addressed voltage issues in several neighborhoods, replacing outdated equipment on utility poles to enhance reliability and minimize outage risks. As of October 2024, upgrades around 167 poles have been completed.
• - Smart Meter Installations: The installation of smart meters is a pivotal step toward a more advanced electric system, enabling automated meter readings and facilitating quicker responses to outages.
• - Proactive Tree Maintenance: Early tree trimming in nearly 100 locations has been executed to counteract outages caused by falling limbs, a frequent cause of interruptions in Ohio.

The proactive measures have already yielded positive results, with a staggering 98% reduction in outage duration reported for local customers in December 2025 relative to December 2024. Additionally, power lines supported by the Lakewood Substation experienced a notable 25% decrease in overall outage times.

Looking Ahead

In the coming weeks, crews will focus on completing the installation of the second transformer. Planned to be energized later this year, the newly installed equipment will be supplemented by a mobile substation that will continue to operate, ensuring service availability during construction.

The Illuminating Company, which serves over 750,000 customers across counties in Ohio, remains dedicated to bolstering reliability and service quality through innovative solutions and significant investments. The company invites customers to follow their progress on social media to stay updated on improvements and initiatives that support the community’s electric needs.

For more information, visit FirstEnergy’s website at firstenergycorp.com or follow them on X @FirstEnergyCorp.