New Potomac Edison Substation Boosts Power Reliability in Berkeley County

The $6.6 million facility uses smart technology to reduce outages and support growth in the fast-growing region.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Potomac Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., has completed a new substation in Berkeley County, West Virginia that is already making electric service more reliable for about 2,400 homes and businesses. The new facility uses modern, smart technology to help reduce outages and restore power faster when problems occur. The $6.6 million substation project is part of FirstEnergy's long-term investment program to modernize and strengthen the electric grid across its service area.

Why it matters

Berkeley County is one of the fastest-growing areas in West Virginia, and the new substation will help support continued development by providing more reliable power. The advanced technology in the substation allows for quicker issue detection, smaller outages, and remote service restoration - all of which are critical for thriving communities.

The details

The new substation, located near Spring Mills High School, provides an additional power source for customers in the Falling Waters and Spring Mills areas. Until now, those customers were served by two substations that were nearing capacity. The facility includes automated technology that helps spot issues quickly, isolate problems to keep outages smaller, and restore service remotely without sending a crew.

  • The new substation was completed in December 2026.
  • Potomac Edison plans to invest $36 billion between 2026 and 2030 to modernize the electric grid.

The players

Potomac Edison

A subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. that serves about 285,000 customers in Maryland and 155,000 customers in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle.

FirstEnergy Corp.

An electric utility holding company that serves more than six million customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York.

Jim Myers

FirstEnergy's President, West Virginia and Maryland.

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What they’re saying

“Berkeley County is growing fast, and it's important that our electric system grows with it. Reliable power is the backbone of thriving communities, and this substation reflects our commitment to our customers. With fewer outages, faster repairs and a strong grid, we're ensuring our customers have the dependable electricity they need.”

— Jim Myers, FirstEnergy's President, West Virginia and Maryland (PRNewswire)

What’s next

The $6.6 million substation project is part of FirstEnergy's long-term Energize365 investment program to modernize and strengthen the electric grid across its service area, with plans to invest $36 billion between 2026 and 2030.

The takeaway

This new substation demonstrates how utility companies are proactively investing in infrastructure to support the growth and development of fast-growing communities. By incorporating smart grid technology, Potomac Edison is enhancing power reliability and resilience for its Berkeley County customers.