Listen to this articleThe basics:
- JCP&L commits $108M to strengthen Ocean County electric grid
- 2025 projects include new transformers, upgraded lines, underground wiring & automated switching
- Additional $29M through 2028 targets outage-prone areas via the NJ Reliability Improvement Project
- Part of FirstEnergy‘s broader EnergizeNJ and Energize365 modernization programs
Due to rapid growth in Ocean County, Jersey Central Power & Light announced a $108 million investment to bolster the local electric grid.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Ocean County’s population jumped by nearly 30,000 residents from 2020–2024. Additionally, in just the last year, county businesses and developers have applied to JCP&L for more than 50 megawatts of new connections. The capacity is enough to power nearly 50,000 homes.
The surge in energy demand has led to this investment to reinforce and modernize the power system. JCP&L says the work will make it more dependable, fix outages more quickly and provide enough electricity to keep pace.
“Ocean County is growing at a pace that traditional forecasting formulas can’t keep up with,” said Doug Mokoid, president, First Energy – JCP&L’s parent company – New Jersey. “We’re taking a fresh approach to improving reliability now and meeting power demand for years to come.”
To stay ahead, JCP&L is rolling out a multi-phased strategy.
This year, the utility plans to complete $21 million in project costs. That work will include installing two new transformers and upgrading another at a local substation, increasing capacity for both new development and outage recovery.
Additional 2025 projects include:
- Lakewood
- Replacing 3 miles of overhead lines with larger wire along South Hope Chapel Road, Brook Road and Ocean Avenue
- Adding underground lines in Leisure Village
- Jackson
- Upgrading to larger wire along South Hope Chapel Road and Brewers Bridge Road
- Installing a new line near Six Flags Great Adventure
- Adding automatic transfer devices to reroute power during outages
- Toms River
- Relocating equipment north of Route 37 to safer areas
- Installing switching technology to automatically move customers to alternate lines during issues, benefiting customers in the Leisure Village area, southwestern portion of town, Manchester and Lakehurst
Looking beyond 2025, JCP&L will invest another $29 million in the county through the New Jersey Reliability Improvement Project (from 2026–2028). That plan targets lines with a history of outages. Investments include thicker, stronger wires and poles and additional protective and automatic transfer devices in Lakehurst, Manchester, Berkeley and Lacey townships.
Voters speak up
New Jerseyans are increasingly concerned about rising electric and gas bills. State leaders are urging action for solutions. Read the latest here.
JCP&L also plans an additional $58 million in upgrades through 2028 as part of EnergizeNJ. The three-and-a-half year infrastructure investment program has been approved by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.
Components of that work include:
- New power lines to reduce outage impact
- Installation of 200-plus TripSaver devices to automatically restore power from temporary faults
- Expanded use of automatic transfer switches
- Modernized substation equipment, particularly in coastal areas vulnerable to salt exposure
The investment in Ocean County is part of the broader Energize365, First Energy’s $28 billion grid modernization plan, that spans 2025–2029.
JCP&L says that these Ocean County upgrades will provide reliable service for the growing population while positioning the grid for continued expansion in the coming decade.
