FirstEnergy Replaces Transformer at Lakewood Substation
FirstEnergy is upgrading equipment at its Lakewood substation in Ohio following a period of reliability issues affecting local electricity service. The utility has begun installing the first of two new power transformers, part of a broader effort to improve grid performance in the area.
During a recent update, FirstEnergy Vice President of Delivery Sally Thomas described the installation as a key milestone in the company’s reliability plan. “We’re going to be installing the first of two brand new transformers within this Lakewood substation,” she said, noting that the replacement units are part of a planned infrastructure upgrade.
The company confirmed that the transformer being replaced failed in May 2025, contributing to service disruptions that led to community concerns. Residents had previously raised questions at a town hall meeting about when electric service reliability would improve.
Thomas said the project goes beyond transformer replacement, including broader system work such as tree trimming and breaker replacements across more than 150 poles. These measures, she explained, are intended to strengthen distribution reliability while the substation upgrades are completed.
The first new transformer is expected to become operational in August 2026, with a second unit scheduled for delivery later in the summer. FirstEnergy stated that the upgrades are designed to support both current demand and future load growth in the Lakewood area.
The utility emphasized that the substation work represents one phase in a larger effort to restore customer confidence and improve long-term grid stability.
