The work is part of JCP&L’s previously announced plans to invest $251 million in 2014 on service reliability enhancements and other work, including its "Energizing the Future" transmission projects.
The substation expansion included adding major equipment: a 120 ton, 230 kilovolt (kV) transformer; a five ton, 230 kV circuit breaker; and two two-ton, 34.5 kV circuit breakers.
In addition, a new control building was constructed at the substation. The new equipment provides greater redundancy by linking the expanded Eatontown Substation to existing 230 kV transmission lines to substations in Red Bank and Tinton Falls.
"The work we have done to enhance our infrastructure is expected to benefit more than 170,000 customers in Monmouth County," said Anthony Hurley, JCP&L vice president of Operations. "By expanding the substation and adding transmission connections, our system will be more resilient and will provide us with more options to help shorten the duration of power outages, if they occur."
In addition, a new 34.5 kV sub-transmission line to Oceanport also has been completed and a second line to serve the area near the Monmouth Mall is expected to be built and tied into the Eatontown Substation within the next year.
JCP&L is a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp.. JCP&L serves 1.1 million customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren.
