FirstEnergy submits plan to build natural gas power plant in West Virginia
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) — FirstEnergy submitted a plan to build a natural gas power plant to support the power needs in West Virginia over the next decade.
In an Integrated Resource Plan submitted to the Public Service Commission of West Virginia, First Energy says they plan to keep the Harrison Power Station and the Fort Martin Power Station operational through the 10-year planning period, as well as explore the addition of a 1,200-megawatt natural gas combined-cycle unit that would be operational around 2031.
The plan also says that the company is seeking to add 70 megawatts of utility-scale solar in 2028 and will use short-term power purchases to maintain reliability until new resources are online.
West Virginia’s energy landscape is changing as industries grow, and the need for dependable, cost-effective power is critical, company officials said. The plan is a roadmap for how the companies will deliver reliable, cost-effective power to West Virginia homes and businesses over the next 10 years.
“Our Integrated Resource Plan reflects a long-term view of the state’s energy future,” said Jim Myers, FirstEnergy’s President. “It is the result of careful analysis and planning – designed to ensure we can continue delivering reliable power while supporting economic development and keeping costs manageable for our customers.”
The Integrated Resource Plan will support Governor Morrisey’s “50 by 50″ initiative, which aims to boost West Virginia’s energy capacity to 50 gigawatts by 2050, officials said.
MonPower serves about 395,000 customers in 34 West Virginia counties and plans to help position the state as a leader in energy innovation and infrastructure, officials said.
“FirstEnergy’s proposal to build a new natural gas power plant in West Virginia is the kind of America-first energy strategy our state and nation need,” West Virginia Treasurer Larry Pack said. “It means good jobs, reliable and affordable power, and a strong commitment to using the resources we produce right here at home. I believe economic growth and job creation require a strong energy infrastructure, and West Virginia has always been—and will always be—an energy powerhouse for America.”
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