Prnewswire·2026-02-16 14:00Core Insights - The joint venture between Transource Energy and FirstEnergy Transmission has received approval for a major electric transmission project in central Ohio, aimed at enhancing grid capacity and reliability in the Columbus region [1] - The project will involve approximately 300 miles of new 765-kilovolt (kV) lines and upgrades to substations, significantly increasing service reliability and supporting economic growth [1] - The initiative is part of PJM's 2025 Regional Transmission Expansion Plan and is expected to address rising electricity demand due to economic growth and the increasing number of manufacturing facilities and data centers in the area [1] Company Overview - Transource Energy is a partnership between American Electric Power (AEP) and Evergy, focusing on competitive electric transmission projects across the U.S., with AEP owning 86.5% and Evergy 13.5% of Transource [1] - AEP plans to invest $72 billion from 2026 to 2030 to enhance service and support growing energy needs, operating the largest electric transmission system in the nation with approximately 40,000 line miles [1] - FirstEnergy Transmission, jointly owned by FirstEnergy Corp. and Brookfield Super-Core Infrastructure Partners, operates approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines, serving over six million customers across several states [1]