The energy company plans to invest about $45m in the new Akron Control Center. The facility will be built at FirstEnergy’s West Akron Complex, an existing 150-acre site.
Work on the planned 70,000ft² facility is expected to begin in the spring of 2013 and construction is likely to complete by the end of the year.
Akron Control Center, which will oversee and monitor transmission operations in areas served by FirstEnergy’s utilities, will feature advanced computer systems to monitor electrical grid reliability.
FirstEnergy Utilities senior VP and president Charles E Jones said that the new center is designed to make the firm’s transmission service reliability even better.
"In addition, we will utilize high-performance, environmentally friendly design, construction and operational options for this new building," Jones added.
The firm plans to obtain LEED certification for this project, which would be FirstEnergy’s third major facility to receive LEED certification if approved.
US-based Braun & Steidl Architects is designing the Akron Control Center. For this project, Ohio-based Welty Building Company will be the construction manager.
