“ We’ re not going to sit back while energy demand rises. We’ re going to meet it,” Governor Patrick Morrisey says.“ The 50 by 50 plan sets a clear path to expand generation, strengthen our grid and keep West Virginia at the center of America’ s energy future. This is about creating jobs, driving investment and making sure our state is leading when it comes to energy production.”
The plan positions West Virginia as a primary supplier within the Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland( PJM) Interconnection.
attracts private investment and positions West Virginia as a competitive destination for energy-intensive industries.
As West Virginia works toward this massive expansion of its energy portfolio, utility leaders say the state is uniquely positioned to anchor the regional power grid. Chris Beam, vice president of generation project development for FirstEnergy, says the state’ s existing infrastructure provides a strategic advantage within the PJM.
The state’ s foundation of existing power generation and access to major transmission lines make it a natural fit for
“ We’ re going to expand our role in the PJM and make sure we’ re a top supplier of reliable energy across the region.”
“ As demand grows, states that can produce dependable power will lead,” he says.“ That is where we have an advantage. We’ re going to expand our role in the PJM and make sure we’ re a top supplier of reliable energy across the region.”
Morrisey says this growth is intended to support construction and long-term employment while signaling that West Virginia is open for energy business. The administration is also working to streamline permitting in order to bypass regulatory hurdles. He says the state has worked closely with utilities to integrate new capacity while maintaining system reliability.
The success of the plan will be measured by energy production, additional jobs and lower costs for West Virginians.
“ In the near term, that means bringing new generation online,” Morrisey says.“ Over time, it means sustained economic growth, reliable power and a stronger position as an energy leader. We’ ll measure that through increased capacity, stable energy prices and continued investment in the state.”
Nicholas Preservati, deputy secretary for the West Virginia Department of Commerce and director of the West Virginia Office of Energy, says 50 by 50 functions as a power roadmap and economic development tool.
The plan is driven largely by the estimated needs of data centers and other energy-intensive industries. Preservati says this projected load growth was an integral part of its framework, with the state aiming to increase capacity to support both new commercial investments and existing residential demand.
To manage this, the Office of Energy is coordinating with utilities on generation targets and grid integration. Preservati says the state is pursuing a comprehensive portfolio that includes coal, natural gas, nuclear, utilityscale solar, wind, geothermal, hydrogen, hydropower, distributed solar and battery storage.
“ While the state is best positioned for baseload production due to factors such as geography and existing infrastructure, renewables and emerging technologies like nuclear complement that foundation,” he says.
Economic impact remains the primary metric for the plan’ s success. Preservati says increased generation meeting future energy needs. Because West Virginia remains a regulated state, Beam says the benefits of local production flow directly back to the average resident.
“ Energy produced here can help lower electricity costs for customers,” he says.“ That helps keep electric rates more stable and protects customers from the price swings seen in states with deregulated markets.”
This regulatory framework is also intended to balance the competing needs of large industrial users and residential ratepayers. While large power users require constant access to electricity to grow, Beam says the state’ s oversight ensures residential families are not exposed to unpredictable market prices.
WWW. WVEXECUTIVE. COM SPRING 2026 57