$359 Million to be Spent in 2017 in Jersey Central Power & Light Service Area to Strengthen Electric System

MORRISTOWN, N.J., March 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the durability and flexibility of its electric transmission and distribution systems, Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) plans to invest $359 million during 2017 on infrastructure projects and other work to enhance reliability across its 13 county northern and central New Jersey service area.

Major projects scheduled for 2017 include finishing construction of a new 16- mile, 230 kilovolt (kV) transmission line in Monmouth County, building a new 34.5 kV power line in Monmouth County and installing new communication equipment across the JCP&L service area to help enhance remote-control capability. Other scheduled work includes 94 circuit upgrades, and replacing breakers and other voltage-regulating equipment.

“Our customers have benefited from the continuous investments and enhancements made over the past decade to JCP&L’s transmission and distribution systems,” said Jim Fakult, president of JCP&L. “During that time nearly $3 billion has been invested to strengthen our electric system. In addition to the improved service reliability, the infrastructure work is designed to accommodate future growth in New Jersey’s economy.”

Projects scheduled for 2017 include:

Completing construction of a new 16-mile, 230 kV transmission line from a substation in Howell to a substation in Neptune, and installing five one-ton circuit breakers at a cost of about $24 million.

Installing new high-speed communication equipment across the JCP&L service area at a cost of $11.6 million to help enhance the remote operation of the electric system.
Upgrading more than 90 distribution circuits to enhance service reliability at a cost of $4.7 million.

Upgrading transmission protective devices, circuit breakers and other equipment across the JCP&L service area at a cost of $5.4 million. This equipment automatically disconnects from the system when a problem is detected to reduce the length of an outage and the number of customers that are affected.

Adding a new 34.5 kV transmission line in Eatontown at a cost of $4.8 million.

Installing new 230 kV circuit breakers at a substation in Matawan at a cost of $2.1 million.

Replacing switches at substations in Jefferson Township and Sayreville at a cost of $1.4 million.

Replacing underground distribution cables in multiple areas.

Read full article at PR NewsWireInspecting and proactively replacing, if needed, more than 27,800 utility poles.