Mon Power and Potomac Edison Submit Plan to Support Power Needs in West Virginia Over the Next Decade

Core Insights - FirstEnergy Corp.'s subsidiaries, Mon Power and Potomac Edison, have submitted an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to the West Virginia Public Service Commission, outlining strategies for reliable and cost-effective power delivery over the next decade [1][2]. Group 1: Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Overview - The IRP aims to address the growing demand for electricity, particularly from sectors like data centers and advanced manufacturing, while ensuring power remains accessible and resilient [2][4]. - The preferred plan includes a 1,200-megawatt natural gas combined-cycle power plant, which is expected to be operational around 2031, and the addition of 70 megawatts of utility-scale solar by 2028 [7]. Group 2: Goals and Recommendations - The IRP is guided by three main goals: balancing reliability, affordability, and local investment while managing environmental impacts [3][7]. - The plan supports West Virginia's "50 by 50" initiative, which aims to increase the state's energy capacity to 50 gigawatts by 2050, positioning it as a leader in energy innovation [4]. Group 3: Customer Base and Service Areas - Mon Power serves approximately 395,000 customers across 34 counties in West Virginia, while Potomac Edison serves about 285,000 customers in Maryland and 155,000 in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia [4][5]. Group 4: Operational Strategy - The IRP includes maintaining the operational status of the Fort Martin Power Station and Harrison Power Station throughout the 10-year planning period [7]. - Short-term power purchases will be utilized to ensure reliability until new resources are brought online [7].