Major projects include construction of new substations, a new 100m 345kV transmission line, installation of enhanced remote-control technology in multiple facilities, and inspection and replacement of utility poles.
As part of upgrades, the company will also continue tree trimming work, including a special program to remove trees endangered by the Emerald Ash Borer.
FirstEnergy Ohio Edison regional president Randall Frame said the infrastructure projects completed by the company in recent years have helped produce fewer service interruptions for Ohio Edison customers.
"The infrastructure projects are designed to help maintain our system on a day-to-day basis to benefit customers now while helping prepare our system for future load growth," Frame added.
More than $344m of FirstEnergy’s $475m infrastructure investment will be spent on transmission-related projects built and owned by American Transmission Systems, a FirstEnergy transmission company.
The infrastructure projects are expected to provide localized as well as widespread benefits to Ohio Edison’s customers in northeast and central Ohio, US.
The latest investment represents about a $233m increase compared to what the company spent on reliability infrastructure in the region in 2013.
