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Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., has commenced a $50.3 million upgrade of a transmission substation in Franklin Borough, New Jersey. This project, part of the Energize365 program, aims to enhance reliability for approximately 4,500 customers in Sussex County, including those in Franklin Borough, Hamburg Borough, Hardyston, Ogdensburg, and Sparta. The upgrades will involve reconfiguring the substation, installing new equipment, replacing an old transformer, and adding a third transformer. Additionally, four steel monopoles will replace existing structures to support high-voltage power line reconfiguration, ensuring backup service. According to FirstEnergy's President, Doug Mokoid, the project is designed to enhance the reliability and resiliency of the electric grid's backbone. This initiative is part of a broader $26 billion investment to modernize the grid across six states by 2028.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office has announced a conditional commitment for a loan guarantee of up to $716 million to JCP&L for the New Jersey Clean Energy Corridor, which includes the Franklin substation upgrades. This project is expected to create more than 230 construction jobs and provide an estimated $150 million in savings for JCP&L ratepayers over the life of the loan. The upgraded infrastructure will enable nearly 20 million megawatt-hours of clean energy production annually, contributing to New Jersey's goal of 100% clean energy by 2035. The project is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete.