A significant electric grid upgrade is underway in Monmouth County, New Jersey, as Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., rebuilds and modernizes part of the local power system. The project includes constructing a new high-voltage line between substations in Middletown Township and Red Bank Borough. This addition aims to provide backup electricity if the main line fails due to weather or other disruptions.
About half a mile of the new line will be placed underground after crossing the Navesink River Bridge, while another mile will use stronger overhead lines on existing poles. A new wooden pole near the Red Bank substation will connect the overhead and underground sections.
Doug Mokoid, President of FirstEnergy’s New Jersey operations, stated: “We know how much our customers rely on dependable electricity to power their homes, businesses and daily lives. We’re investing in Monmouth County’s energy future to help reduce outages, speed up restoration times and support the growth of our communities for years to come.”
The improvements are designed to balance demand across JCP&L’s network and allow faster restoration during emergencies or maintenance. The project replaces infrastructure from the 1970s with equipment that can better withstand severe weather and common causes of outages.
Nearly 11,400 customers are expected to benefit through increased reliability, reduced outage frequency, quicker restoration times, and greater flexibility as local demand grows. Construction began in September 2025 and is set for completion by February 2026, pending final approvals.
This initiative is part of a $1.6 million investment targeting northern Monmouth County’s electric system resilience. Over 2.5 miles of lines and poles are being upgraded with newer materials designed for storm resistance. Advanced technology is being added for rapid fault detection and equipment protection, while new devices will help reroute electricity around problem areas.
A separate $36 million project addresses aging insulators along 76 miles of lines in Monmouth as well as Essex, Hunterdon, Middlesex and Morris counties. Upgrading these components aims to prevent electrical issues such as pole fires.
Customers are not expected to experience any service interruptions during construction; all work started in September 2025 is scheduled for completion by late 2026.
These efforts align with FirstEnergy’s Energize365 program—a long-term plan aiming to invest $28 billion from 2025 through 2029 into modernizing its grid for enhanced security and customer service across its territories.
FirstEnergy serves more than six million customers across several states including Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York according to its official website. The company manages about 24,000 miles of transmission lines connecting key regions (source). As outlined on its corporate responsibility page, FirstEnergy emphasizes environmental stewardship alongside reliable service delivery.
“We’re investing in Monmouth County’s energy future to help reduce outages, speed up restoration times and support the growth of our communities for years to come.” – Doug Mokoid
For more information about JCP&L projects or corporate initiatives visit firstenergycorp.com.
