- Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), a FirstEnergy Corp. subsidiary (FE, Financial), received approval for the $202.5 million EnergizeNJ infrastructure upgrade.
- The investment program spans 3.5 years, focusing on grid modernization and system resiliency in northern and central New Jersey.
- Typical residential customers will experience a minimal monthly bill increase of $0.86, or 0.6%.
Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (FE), has obtained approval from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities for its EnergizeNJ infrastructure investment program. The initiative will see an investment of more than $202.5 million over a three and a half year period beginning July 1, aimed at upgrading the electric distribution grid in northern and central New Jersey.
The EnergizeNJ program is set to enhance grid reliability through smart technology deployment. It allocates $20.4 million for grid modernization, including the installation of TripSaver II devices to replace traditional solid fuses. These devices can automatically restore service during temporary faults, reducing outage duration and frequency.
Additionally, the program invests $128.9 million in system resiliency improvements. This includes optimizing circuit configurations and installing remotely controlled circuit ties, which can redirect power flow during outages, thus ensuring quicker service restoration.
JCP&L has also earmarked $132 million for additional matching projects, with $18 million allocated for coastal substation upgrades and $9 million for mobile substations. These measures aim to bolster grid resilience and operational flexibility.
The approved upgrades under the EnergizeNJ program are part of the broader Energize365 initiative by FirstEnergy, which plans $28 billion in grid investments from 2025 to 2029. The strategic endeavor seeks to create a smarter, more secure grid to accommodate future energy demands, including electric vehicles and renewable energy sources.
To mitigate the impact on consumers, JCP&L will implement incremental billing based on completed work, resulting in a minor monthly bill increase of $0.86 for a typical residential customer consuming 777 kWh, which translates to a 0.6% rise.
