FirstEnergy’s Ohio Subsidiaries Enhance Electric Reliability Ahead of Winter

FirstEnergy‘s Ohio-based electric companies, including Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Company, and Toledo Edison, have completed a series of inspections and maintenance tasks to ensure electric system reliability during the upcoming winter season.

According to Torrence Hinton, FirstEnergy’s Ohio president, these proactive measures are crucial for maintaining power supply during severe winter weather. The work includes inspections of substation equipment and the winterization of substation control buildings to ensure all critical components function properly in cold weather.

Helicopter inspections of high-voltage transmission lines have also been conducted to detect early-stage equipment issues that may not be visible from the ground. Additionally, electricians used thermovision cameras to inspect power lines, transformers, and other electrical equipment, identifying potential problems such as loose connections and corrosion.

Tree trimming around electrical equipment has been a year-round effort to prevent tree-related power outages during winter. Furthermore, company vehicles, including bucket trucks, were inspected to ensure safe operation, with particular attention to tire and air braking system conditions that could be affected by winter weather.

FirstEnergy employees have also participated in readiness exercises and drills throughout the year to test the company’s restoration processes for addressing power outages caused by winter storms.