Mon Power and Potomac Edison, subsidiaries of FirstEnergy Corp., have chosen a 35‑acre parcel adjacent to the Fort Martin Power Station in Maidsville, West Virginia, for a new 1,200‑megawatt natural‑gas power plant. The facility is expected to generate enough electricity to power roughly half a million homes and will be operational by late 2031, pending approval from the West Virginia Public Service Commission.
The plant is a key element of the companies’ Integrated Resource Plan, which also calls for the continued operation of the Fort Martin and Harrison plants and the addition of 70 megawatts of solar generation on reclaimed mine lands in Preston, Hancock, and Tucker counties. The solar projects will complement the new gas plant by providing clean, dispatchable power during periods of high demand.
FirstEnergy’s management highlighted the strategic importance of the new plant. "The Fort Martin Power Station is already an important part of our power infrastructure, and this new plant builds on that strength. By adding modern natural gas generation alongside our existing plants, we are making sure families and businesses across West Virginia have the reliable and affordable power they depend on today and for years to come," said Jim Myers, President of FirstEnergy’s West Virginia and Maryland operations.
The announcement comes as FirstEnergy prepares to release its Q4 2025 earnings, where analysts expect a modest decline in EPS and a slight increase in revenue. The company’s 2026 guidance includes core earnings of $2.62 to $2.82 per share, a 7.5% growth over the 2025 midpoint, and a $6 billion capital investment plan focused on grid modernization and transmission upgrades. A 4.5% dividend increase to $1.86 per share reflects management’s confidence in sustaining cash flow while supporting long‑term infrastructure investments.
The new plant aligns with West Virginia’s broader energy strategy, which includes regulatory support for retiring older coal plants and enhancing grid reliability. The West Virginia Public Service Commission’s forthcoming decision will determine the project’s timeline, but the selection of the site marks a significant step toward meeting projected demand growth and diversifying the state’s generation mix.
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