JCP&L's Ambitious $108 Million Investment Plan for Ocean County Power Infrastructure

JCP&L's $108 Million Infrastructure Investment in Ocean County

Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., has embarked on an ambitious plan to invest $108 million in the electric grid of Ocean County, New Jersey, aiming to enhance its reliability and accommodate the area's rapid growth. The investment is a response to the county’s staggering population increase of nearly 30,000 residents from 2020 to 2024, which has led to a surge in energy demand.

Meeting Growing Energy Needs

In the past year alone, local businesses and developers have requested over 50 megawatts (MW) of new electrical connections from JCP&L, enough to supply approximately 50,000 homes. This heightened demand has prompted JCP&L to re-evaluate and upgrade their existing systems to ensure reliability and efficiency.

Doug Mokoid, President of FirstEnergy New Jersey, emphasized the urgency of these upgrades, stating, "Ocean County is growing at a pace that traditional forecasting formulas can't keep up with. We're taking a fresh approach to improving reliability now and meeting power demand for years to come." The first phase of this plan includes a $21 million set of enhancements scheduled for completion in 2025.

Significant Infrastructure Enhancements

The planned 2025 upgrades will include the addition of two new transformers and the enhancement of an existing one at a local substation, increasing the area’s electrical capacity. This increased availability will not only aid in powering new homes and businesses but will also facilitate quicker restoration of service during outages by allowing for easier rerouting of electricity.

Some key projects include:
1. Lakewood: Replacement of over three miles of power lines on South Hope Chapel Rd., Brook Rd., and Ocean Ave. with larger, more robust wire, along with the installation of underground wires in the Leisure Village community.
2. Jackson: Upgrades with larger wires along South Hope Chapel Rd. and Brewers Bridge Rd., plus the installation of a new line near Six Flags Great Adventure to expedite the rerouting of power during outages.
3. Toms River: Relocation of equipment north of Route 37 to enhance safety and improve repair times, and the installation of devices that allow for automatic service switching during problems.

Continued Investments Through 2028

Beyond the immediate upgrades, JCP&L plans an additional investment of $29 million in Ocean County from 2026 to 2028 under the New Jersey Reliability Improvement Project. This initiative includes upgrading to thicker, more durable wires and poles, along with installing protective devices that ensure quicker service restoration during outages.

Moreover, another $58 million will be allocated for upgrades through 2028 as part of the EnergizeNJ program, which focuses on infrastructure enhancement to bolster system resilience. This program includes a range of projects aimed at modernizing substations and power lines, ensuring the grid can handle the region's future energy requirements.

A Comprehensive Long-Term Vision

JCP&L’s ongoing initiatives are integral to FirstEnergy’s comprehensive Energize365 long-term investment program, which aims for a total investment of $28 billion from 2025 to 2029. The goal is to build a smarter and more secure grid that adapts to the needs of contemporary customers while anticipating future growth.

JCP&L currently provides service to 1.2 million customers across various counties, including Burlington, Essex, and Monmouth. Stakeholders and residents alike can follow the progress of these initiatives through JCP&L’s social media pages and official website.

Through these significant investments, JCP&L is not just enhancing existing infrastructure but is also preparing Ocean County for a sustainable energy future.