FirstEnergy Units Select 35-Acre Maidsville Site for 1,200 MW Gas Plant
Mon Power and Potomac Edison picked a 35-acre Maidsville, West Virginia site for a 1,200 MW natural gas plant to power about 500,000 homes. PSC approval could allow work to start in 2027 with operation by late 2031, and the IRP adds 70 MW of solar on former mine lands.
1. Site Selection and Capacity
Mon Power and Potomac Edison, subsidiaries of FirstEnergy, identified a 35-acre parcel adjacent to Fort Martin Power Station in Maidsville, West Virginia, for a 1,200 MW natural gas facility. This capacity is projected to supply electricity to roughly 500,000 homes, addressing rising regional demand.
2. Regulatory Approval and Schedule
The West Virginia Public Service Commission is slated to decide on the Integrated Resource Plan amendments within the next year. If approved, site preparation could begin in 2027, with commercial operation targeted for late 2031, aligning with the companies' long-term reliability goals.
3. IRP Integration and Solar Expansion
The Integrated Resource Plan maintains operations at Fort Martin and Harrison plants while incorporating 70 MW of new solar across former mine lands. These solar additions leverage reclaimed industrial sites to diversify the generation mix and support state renewable objectives.