Three leading transmission developers jointly propose new projects across PJM region

Dominion Energy Virginia, American Electric Power (AEP), and FirstEnergy Corp. this week jointly proposed several new regional electric transmission projects within the PJM Interconnection footprint, which spans 13 states and Washington, D.C.

Power demand in the PJM region is growing at an unprecedented pace due to rapid expansion of energy-intensive industries, such as data centers, the electrification of transportation and heating, and increased manufacturing onshoring, the companies said in a joint statement released Oct. 7.

At the same time, the region’s power generation mix is changing as legacy generation is retired and more renewables are added to the grid, they said.

“This dynamic environment requires more regional collaboration to develop large-scale backbone transmission infrastructure that spans across the areas served by our three companies,” said Ed Baine, president of Dominion Energy Virginia. “By leveraging the expertise and resources of three industry leaders whose transmission zones border one another, we’re better able to develop superior and more cost-effective solutions required to effectively resolve reliability issues across the PJM region.”

Baine added that the projects are more comprehensive and will be more effective compared to what each of the companies would be able to develop individually.

Specifically, the companies jointly proposed the projects through PJM’s Regional Transmission Expansion Plan Open Window process in September. The proposed projects include several new 765-kilovolts (kV), 500-kV, and 345-kV transmission lines in Virginia, Ohio, and West Virginia.

“AEP operates the largest transmission network in the nation and has more experience building 765 kV infrastructure than any other company in the U.S.,” said Bob Bradish, senior vice president of regulated infrastructure investment planning for AEP. “The solutions we have proposed to address the rapidly evolving energy demand we are seeing across the region will enable us to continue providing reliable service and drive economic growth.”

The projects remain in the early stages of development and if selected by PJM, the companies then would be involved in a multi-year process to select routes, perform environmental studies, engage with communities, obtain state and local permitting, and build the projects, according to AEP, FirstEnergy, and Dominion Energy Virginia.

“Energy-intensive industries, electrification, and the energy transition all rely on a robust power grid,” said FirstEnergy Transmission President Mark Mroczynski. “By drawing upon the combined experience of three leading transmission developers, we can take the proactive steps needed to build new infrastructure that will ensure our communities have the power they need for sustained health and economic growth in the future.”

In addition to the joint proposals, each of the three companies have also submitted individual proposals for other transmission projects consistent with how each company has participated in past PJM open windows, they said.

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