The $24m project will support load growth and enhance reliability in The Illuminating Company’s northeast Ohio service area.
Of the total investment, about $14.8m is expected to be invested this year. The in-service date for the expanded substation is 1 June 2016.
As part of the project, First Energy will install circuit breakers and two electrical transformers.
Each of the transformers will weigh about 368 tons and measure 28 feet tall by 25 feet wide and 44 feet in length.
The transformers will be used to convert power from 345kV to 138kV. The company had also installed specialized smart communications equipment at the substation to remotely monitor operations.
A nearby 345kV transmission line linking the Perry nuclear power plant to a substation in Cleveland will be connected to the substation in Leroy Center
The Illuminating Company regional president John Skory said: "By connecting this substation to an existing transmission line, we are able to create another cost-effective option when it comes to delivering safe and reliable power to our customers."
"In addition, the high-tech substation devices we plan to install will give us the ability to operate the system remotely, automatically resetting the equipment instead of having to send a line crew to investigate the cause of the problem."
The Illuminating Company serves over 750,000 customers across Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties.
