#United States #Holmdel #FirstEnergy #Monmouth County #JCPL

Enhancing Monmouth County’s Power Reliability

Introduction
In today's fast-paced world, reliable electricity is essential for both homes and businesses. Recognizing this need, FirstEnergy Corp. is spearheading a substantial initiative aimed at upgrading the power grid in northern Monmouth County, New Jersey.
This ambitious project, led by Jersey Central Power & Light (JCPL), is set to benefit approximately 25,000 residents and local enterprises in various municipalities, including Marlboro Township, Holmdel Township, Matawan Borough, Aberdeen Township, and Middletown Township.

Scope of the Upgrade
The upgrades primarily focus on replacing older, outdated equipment originally installed in the 1970s with modern, more durable solutions. Key aspects of the project include:

• - Strengthening Power Lines: A crucial element of the upgrade involves replacing 10 miles of existing power lines with stronger, contemporary wires designed to handle increased electrical loads and reduce outages.
• - New Utility Poles: Old wooden poles are being replaced with new poles constructed from wood, steel, and wood-laminated materials. This enables a more resilient infrastructure capable of weathering severe storms.
• - Enhanced Line Capacity: To ensure that power remains uninterrupted during outages or repairs, a second set of lines will be added to this corridor, allowing for multiple pathways to deliver electricity.

Construction Timeline
Beginning in mid-2025, construction is anticipated to conclude by spring 2026. This timeline not only indicates a swift response to the region's growing energy needs but is also reflective of FirstEnergy's commitment to providing reliable service to its customers.

Why This Matters
Doug Mokoid, FirstEnergy's President of New Jersey, emphasizes the importance of this upgrade: "Reliable power is essential for every home and business in Monmouth County. These upgrades give our communities a stronger, more resilient electric system built for the future." The new infrastructure will:

• - Reduce Outage Frequency: With robust systems in place, the frequency of power outages is expected to decrease significantly.
• - Faster Restoration: In the event of issues, service restoration will be quicker, further enhancing reliability.
• - Support Growing Demand: These enhancements position the power grid to better serve the anticipated increase in energy consumption in the region.

Investment in the Future
This $30 million initiative forms part of Energize365, FirstEnergy’s comprehensive investment strategy aimed at modernizing and fortifying the electric grid. With plans to inject $28 billion from 2025 to 2029, FirstEnergy demonstrates its commitment to developing a smart and resilient infrastructure tailored to meet the evolving demands of the communities it serves.

Overall Impact
JCPL provides electricity to approximately 1.2 million customers across multiple counties, including Essex, Mercer, and Middlesex. By enhancing the power grid in Monmouth County, FirstEnergy is setting a benchmark for reliability that will benefit both current and future customers. In a society that increasingly depends on technology and electric power, these initiatives not only signify progress but also highlight a proactive approach to energy management.

Conclusion
As Monmouth County continues to grow and evolve, FirstEnergy's upgrades will play a vital role in sustaining that growth. Through this investment, coupled with a commitment to reliability, efficiency, and safety, the communities served by JCPL are poised for a brighter, more electrically secure future.