SUPPORTING CLEAN ENERGY OPTIONS

FirstEnergy is taking many steps to prepare for a reduced carbon world, and each state where we operate presents a different path toward the clean energy future. Though regulatory decisions may limit our ability to develop renewable generation, we recognize that our customers expect more sustainable energy options and are exploring ways to meet that demand across our service territory.

Four of the five states in which FirstEnergy principally operates (Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland) are deregulated states. With a few exceptions, FirstEnergy’s utilities are prohibited from owning generation in these states. This includes renewable generation assets such as solar and wind as well as energy storage when storage is defined as a generation asset.

We want to empower our customers with solutions that meet their energy needs and reduce the region’s carbon footprint. Working within the bounds of state laws and regulations, we are continually looking for and acting on opportunities to build the clean energy future we all envision.

Solar Generation

Advancing FirstEnergy’s goal to own at least 50 MW of solar generation in West Virginia by 2025 is a key step toward executing our Climate Strategy and building a sustainable energy future.

FirstEnergy’s West Virginia utilities, Mon Power and Potomac Edison, have conditional approval from the Public Service Commission of West Virginia for five utility-scale solar facilities, which will together total 50 MW of renewable solar generation. The companies are accepting customer commitments to purchase solar renewable energy credits from the five facilities to be developed in our West Virginia service territory, and we expect to have the first site in service bin 2023.

The solar program we’re developing aligns with a 2020 bill passed by the West Virginia Legislature that authorizes electric utilities to own and operate up to 200 megawatts of solar renewable generation facilities to help meet the state’s electricity needs. The addition of new renewable generation also encourages economic development in West Virginia, as a growing number of companies require that a portion of the electricity they purchase be generated by renewable sources.

Additionally, FirstEnergy’s Pennsylvania utilities have received approval to purchase electric generation supply in 2023. The program includes a process for procuring power for Default Service customers, meeting state-mandated alternative energy standards, and includes a separate bidding process to procure a new long-term solar energy project with a total capacity of at least 7 MW and up to 20 MW.