JCP&L invests $1.6 million to enhance grid reliability in Northern Monmouth County, reducing outages and improving restoration times.

Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) is investing $1.6 million in upgrades to improve the reliability of the electric system in northern Monmouth County, New Jersey. The upgrades will reduce the number of outages and shorten the duration of outages when they do occur. Part of JCP&L's $95 million investment in grid reliability in New Jersey, the work is expected to be completed over the next two years as part of the company's New Jersey Reliability Improvement Project.

Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE), has announced a $1.6 million investment to upgrade the electric system in northern Monmouth County, New Jersey. The upgrades aim to reduce the frequency and duration of power outages, enhancing reliability for thousands of customers in Keyport, Hazlet, and Union Beach. This investment is part of JCP&L's broader $95 million New Jersey Reliability Improvement Project, which is expected to be completed over the next two years [1].

The modernization effort includes upgrading 2.5 miles of overhead power lines and poles to boost capacity and storm resilience. Additionally, smart devices will be installed for fault detection, and equipment will be added to reroute power during outages, minimizing the impact on customers [2]. This local project is a key component of FirstEnergy's larger $28 billion Energize365 investment program, which aims to modernize the electric grid across its service territory from 2025 to 2029.

FirstEnergy's investment in grid modernization is strategic. Regulated utilities like FirstEnergy typically earn returns on capital expenditures approved by state regulators. By focusing on reliability improvements, the company positions itself to justify these investments and potentially strengthen its rate base, which is the capital investment on which regulators allow the utility to earn a return [2]. The New Jersey Reliability Improvement Project is part of a two-phase effort to enhance the reliability of lines with a history of outages, with longer-term projects continuing through 2028.

The upgrades are expected to provide several benefits to customers. Fewer outages mean less disruption to daily life, and faster restoration times mean quicker recovery from any outages that do occur. The smarter system will also give JCP&L more flexibility to respond to issues and keep power flowing [1].

Doug Mokoid, FirstEnergy's President of New Jersey, emphasized the company's commitment to delivering safe, dependable electricity to its customers. "We are all about building a stronger, more balanced electric system for our customers. At the end of the day, our priority is making sure you get reliable, safe service you can count on. This work reinforces our commitment to delivering a resilient energy future that keeps our customers' homes and businesses powered, today and tomorrow" [1].

References:
[1] https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fewer-outages-and-faster-restoration-coming-to-jcpl-customers-in-northern-monmouth-county-302525443.html
[2] https://www.stocktitan.net/news/FE/fewer-outages-and-faster-restoration-coming-to-jcp-l-customers-in-b3fqpx19glqf.html