FirstEnergy and Transource get approval for Ohio transmission project

Regional grid operator PJM Interconnection selected a joint transmission project by FirstEnergy Transmission LLC and Transource Energy to address infrastructure needs in central Ohio. The PJM Board of Managers approved the project on Feb. 12.

The companies proposed the project through PJM's 2025 Regional Transmission Expansion Plan Open Window process in August. PJM coordinates wholesale electricity transportation across a 13-state region including Ohio.

The project includes more than 300 miles of new 765-kilovolt transmission lines and substation upgrades to increase service reliability in the Columbus region. The companies will develop the project through Grid Growth Ventures LLC, their recently formed joint venture.

FirstEnergy Transmission is jointly owned by FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) and Brookfield Super-Core Infrastructure Partners. The company operates transmission subsidiaries with approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines.

Transource Energy is a partnership between American Electric Power (NASDAQ: AEP) and Evergy Inc. (NASDAQ: EVRG). AEP owns 86.5% of Transource while Evergy owns 13.5%.

"Our transmission system is ideally situated at the center of regional growth, making it a powerful platform for economic development and energy reliability," said Mark Mroczynski, President of FirstEnergy Transmission.

Doug Cannon, President of AEP Transmission, stated that AEP has built and owns more extra-high voltage lines than any other company in the United States. The project addresses evolving energy demand across the region, according to Cannon.

FirstEnergy serves more than six million customers across Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. AEP expects to invest $72 billion from 2026 through 2030 to enhance service and support growing energy needs.

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