Economic Development
We’re ready to power your business
PPL Electric Utilities has available transmission capacity at all voltage levels, from 69 kV to 500 kV. Whether you’re looking to expand your operations to a new, strategic area or just starting your business up, we can handle your project. Just 1.5 hours from major cities, our transmission system delivers electricity safely, reliably and efficiently across long distances, right to where you need it.
Reliable
Our transmission system gives you peace of mind. Through the use of innovative technology, we’ve built one of the most advanced electric grids in the country. It provides stability and flexibility for our grid operators, which improves operations and protections against cyber, physical and weather threats.
Power Availability
We have available transmission capacity across our service territory in eastern and central Pennsylvania. This coupled with $4.7 billion in planned infrastructure investments through 2027, positions us well for the long-term growth opportunities in our state, especially from electrification and data centers.
Easy to Connect
Our team is easy to work with. With our rapid response process, we can provide a high-level scope, schedule, and cost breakdowns of a project within five business days. We also offer quick turnarounds on project feasibility reports. New 69kV tap projects typically range between 12 and 15 months from project contract execution to energization.
Eastern and central Pennsylvania are a perfect place to grow your business
With the ability to shop for competitive supply rates and PPL Electric’s superior reliability, industry-leading innovation and award-winning customer service, eastern and central Pennsylvania is a perfect place to grow your business.
Transmission is the backbone of our electric grid and plays an important role in maintaining a strong economy. Since 2013, we’ve invested in focused upgrades and continued to innovate and advance our electric grid. These continued investments in the transmission system allow us to provide safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity for you and your business. Learn more about the region from economic development partners in our area.
We deliver electricity to some of the largest businesses and industries in Pennsylvania.
Businesses seeking regional or international headquarters, industrial, manufacturing or distribution facilities find themselves in good company in our service territory. Several Fortune 500 and Forbes Global 2000 companies are based in eastern and central Pennsylvania or have major operations here. From steel production to plastics and data centers to agriculture, businesses can have confidence in us by looking at the customers we serve and the scale of their operations.
Testimonials
“Strong, reliable transmission and distribution system
"Electricity is the critical underpinning for economic growth. This area has a good reputation for our electric grid—strong, reliable transmission and distribution system and fair prices. This is a fundamental requirement for companies to invest in an area."
– Don Cunningham, President & CEO, Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation
“Superior electric reliability
"We sell companies from around the world on investing here based on our superior electric reliability and reasonable cost of service. Our robust transmission system supports electric service that gives Pennsylvania a strategic advantage in attracting new business."
– John Augustine III, President & CEO, Penn’s Northeast
“PPL Electric Utilities has been a critical partner
"PPL Electric Utilities has been a critical partner in responding to high impact project inquiries and it quickly provides high-level details about electric infrastructure that project decision makers need to determine if they will consider a site to compete for their project."
– Lauren Bryson, Executive Director, Focus Central Pennsylvania
Proud to Power the Great Stream Commons Business Park
The work that PPL Electric did to add a new substation, more than two miles of overhead electrical distribution lines and several remotely operable smart grid devices was a critical component in attracting businesses to the new Great Stream Commons business park in Allenwood, Union County. Plus, the additions will help improve reliability for all customers in the area.
Meet the team
New inquiries and economic development
Manager of Business and Economic Development
Email Jason
Jason Hunt joined PPL in 2024 as the new Manager of Business and Economic Development. He is focused on helping attract new and expanding business across our 29-county service territory. Since joining the team, Hunt has ramped up efforts to drive growth through key partnerships and initiatives, including supporting the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry’s Keystone Initiative and communities in our service territory who have submitted sites to the Commonwealth's Site Identification exercise. He also commissioned a competitiveness analysis to benchmark our service territory against competing regions nationally.
His work makes the communities in our service area more competitive sites for job-creating projects across a range of industries in the future.
Existing customers using Transmission level service
Interconnection Affairs Manager
Email Colleen
Colleen Kester was named to her current position in April of 2021, but has been with PPL Electric Utilities since 2011. As the Interconnection Affairs Manager, she is responsible for directing all aspects of PPL Electric’s new and modified transmission-level retail electric service requests for commercial and industrial customers, economic development efforts to attract new business and transmission projects related to the interconnection of renewable energy and other power generation to the grid.
Transmission Interconnection Affairs Project Manager
Email Ian
Ian van Halem was named to his current position in December of 2022, but has been with PPL Electric Utilities since 2014. As a Project Manager for the Transmission Interconnection Affairs group, he oversees transmission-level retail electric load requests across PPL Electric’s service territory which includes managing projects from inception through development and execution while maintaining a close relationship with the customer. He also manages and develops transmission relocation requests and is an integral part of economic development initiatives.
Existing customer inquiries
Manager of Business Services
Email John
John D. Kucher was named to his current position in September of 2017, but has been with PPL Electric Utilities since 2010. As the Manager of Business Services, he oversees both the key accounts and business accounts groups that handle and process the intake of all distribution service requests for new, upgrade, relocation and distributed energy applications. He and his team are responsible for assisting customers through the application process by ensuring they have the information needed to make informed decisions on the type of service that best fits their project. After project completion, he and his team remain as dedicated resources to provide support and service to customers.