Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) announced Thursday that recent infrastructure investments have led to a dramatic improvement in service reliability, with some regions seeing an 80% reduction in power outages over the past year.
The utility, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., confirmed that the first two phases of its $95 million New Jersey Reliability Improvement Project were completed in early 2025, yielding immediate dividends for thousands of residents in Monmouth and Morris counties.
Newly released data highlights the impact of targeted circuit upgrades:
-
Howell (Monmouth County): Customers on upgraded lines experienced an 80% drop in outage minutes in 2025.
-
Long Hill & Chatham (Morris County): Reliability metrics showed a 76% reduction in outages for the same period.
“These improvements are keeping lights on more often and getting them back on faster when they do go out,” said Doug Mokoid, FirstEnergy’s President of New Jersey. “We’re seeing real improvements and are committed to bringing that same level of reliability to even more communities.”
With the project now past its halfway mark, JCP&L is launching construction on the next three phases. A total of 18 high-priority circuits—selected based on historical outage data—are slated for comprehensive modernization.
The upgrades include:
-
Hardened Infrastructure: Thicker, stronger overhead wires and more durable utility poles.
-
Strategic Undergrounding: Replacing overhead cables with underground lines in difficult terrain to prevent storm damage.
-
Smart Technology: Automated equipment that can detect faults and reroute power instantly.
-
Enhanced Maintenance: Intensified tree trimming and vegetation management to prevent branch-related interference.
In addition to the circuit-specific work, JCP&L has announced a $30 million high-voltage upgrade in northern Monmouth County. Spanning 10 miles across Marlboro, Holmdel, Matawan, Aberdeen, and Middletown, this project focuses on replacing infrastructure dating back to the 1970s.
Crews are currently installing a second set of lines along this corridor. This “backup” infrastructure provides multiple pathways for electricity, ensuring that if one line is damaged, power can be rerouted through another without interrupting service to the nearly 25,000 affected homes and businesses.
New utility poles made of wood, steel, and wood-laminated structures are already being erected, with notable progress visible along Roberts Road in Holmdel.
