HOLMDEL, N.J. - Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), a FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: NYSE:FE) subsidiary, has initiated a significant upgrade to its high-voltage power line in Monmouth County, aiming to enhance service reliability for nearly 4,000 customers. The $11 million investment is part of a broader initiative to improve power delivery for over 150,000 customers in the region.
The current upgrade involves a 3.5-mile section of a 34.5-kilovolt power line that extends northeast from the Atlantic Substation in Colts Neck Township to Tinton Falls Borough. This line, originally constructed in the 1970s, will be refitted with modern poles, wires, and hardware capable of withstanding extreme weather and handling increased electrical loads. The new infrastructure is designed to support the growing demand for electricity and provide a more reliable power supply, particularly during unplanned service disruptions.
Jim Fakult, President of JCP&L, stated, "This important project will help reduce the risk of outages and ensure that our transmission system keeps pace with the growing demand for safe, reliable power by our customers in central Jersey." The enhancements are expected to be completed by late 2024.
This project is the fifth in a series of upgrades JCP&L is undertaking in central New Jersey, with a total investment of $223 million to revamp more than 60 miles of transmission lines in the county. These improvements are part of Energize365, a multi-year grid evolution program by FirstEnergy that includes a plan to invest $26 billion between 2024 and 2028. The program's goal is to create a smarter, more resilient grid that can meet current reliability standards and adapt to future energy demands, such as electric vehicles, home and business electrification, and renewable energy sources.
JCP&L serves approximately 1.1 million customers across 13 counties in New Jersey. FirstEnergy, the parent company, operates one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, providing service to over six million customers in six states. The company's transmission subsidiaries manage around 24,000 miles of transmission lines connecting the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.
This report is based on a press release statement from FirstEnergy Corp.
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