New Jersey Power System Upgrades Significantly Reduce Outages
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 1h ago
0mins
Should l Buy FE?
Source: PRnewswire
- Project Progress: Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) has reached the halfway point of its $95 million Reliability Improvement Project, which is expected to further enhance the stability and reliability of the electric system, thereby increasing customer satisfaction.
- Significant Reduction in Outages: In Morris and Monmouth counties, nearly 16,500 customers experienced over an 80% drop in outages in 2025 compared to the previous year, indicating that the upgrades have significantly improved power supply reliability.
- Customer Benefits: The upgrades to local power lines not only enhance the overall performance of the electric system but also strengthen JCP&L's service capabilities, thereby improving the company's competitive position in the market.
- Long-term Strategic Goals: The successful implementation of this project not only helps reduce outage events but also lays the groundwork for future investments in power infrastructure, ensuring the company remains a leader in the evolving energy market.
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Analyst Views on FE
Wall Street analysts forecast FE stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for FE is 49.25 USD with a low forecast of 46.00 USD and a high forecast of 54.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
10 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
6 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 47.930
Low
46.00
Averages
49.25
High
54.00
Current: 47.930
Low
46.00
Averages
49.25
High
54.00
About FE
FirstEnergy Corp. and its subsidiaries are involved in the transmission, distribution, and generation of electricity through its segments: Distribution, Integrated and Stand-Alone Transmission. The Distribution Segment, which consists of the Ohio Companies and FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company (FE PA), distributes electricity in Ohio and Pennsylvania. The Integrated segment includes the distribution and transmission operations under Jersey Central Power & Light Company (JCP&L), Monongahela Power Company (MP) and The Potomac Edison Company (PE), as well as MP's regulated generation operations. The segment distributes electricity in New Jersey, West Virginia and Maryland, provides transmission infrastructure, and operates 3,604 MWs of regulated net maximum generation capacity. The Stand-Alone Transmission segment consists of its ownership in FET and KATCo, which includes transmission infrastructure owned and operated by the Transmission Companies and used to transmit electricity.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
New Jersey Reliability Improvement Project Progresses
- Significant Progress: Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) has reached the halfway point of its $95 million Reliability Improvement Project, with over an 80% reduction in outages for customers in Morris and Monmouth counties in 2025, demonstrating the effectiveness of the investments.
- Infrastructure Upgrades: JCP&L is strengthening poles and wires, moving certain lines underground, and adding smart devices for faster detection and restoration of power, which is expected to significantly reduce both the frequency and duration of outages.
- Upcoming Projects: Three upgrade projects in Hunterdon, Southern Ocean, and Warren counties are set to be completed by year-end, improving reliability for nearly 10,000 customers and enhancing service quality.
- Long-term Investment Plan: The improvement project is part of FirstEnergy's Energize365 initiative, which plans to invest $28 billion between 2025 and 2029 to build a smarter, more resilient grid that meets the evolving needs of communities.
See More
New Jersey Power System Upgrades Significantly Reduce Outages
- Project Progress: Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) has reached the halfway point of its $95 million Reliability Improvement Project, which is expected to further enhance the stability and reliability of the electric system, thereby increasing customer satisfaction.
- Significant Reduction in Outages: In Morris and Monmouth counties, nearly 16,500 customers experienced over an 80% drop in outages in 2025 compared to the previous year, indicating that the upgrades have significantly improved power supply reliability.
- Customer Benefits: The upgrades to local power lines not only enhance the overall performance of the electric system but also strengthen JCP&L's service capabilities, thereby improving the company's competitive position in the market.
- Long-term Strategic Goals: The successful implementation of this project not only helps reduce outage events but also lays the groundwork for future investments in power infrastructure, ensuring the company remains a leader in the evolving energy market.
See More
FirstEnergy Declares 4.5% Increase in Quarterly Dividend
- Dividend Increase: FirstEnergy has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.465 per share, representing a 4.5% increase from the previous quarter, reflecting the company's successful execution of its strategy in investing in the reliability and resiliency of the electric system, with an expected total dividend of $1.86 per share in 2026, indicating confidence in future profitability.
- Strategic Execution: CEO Brian X. Tierney emphasized the significant progress made in business transformation over the past three years, enhancing the company's ability to deliver value to customers, communities, and investors, underscoring its leadership position in the electric utility sector.
- Market Coverage: As one of the largest investor-owned electric systems in the U.S., FirstEnergy serves over 6 million customers across multiple states including Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, highlighting its critical role in the energy market.
- Future Outlook: The company plans to maintain a core earnings payout ratio of 60-70% for dividends in 2026, demonstrating a balance between stable dividends and ongoing investments, aimed at addressing potential economic fluctuations and market challenges ahead.
See More
FirstEnergy Encourages Safe Balloon Handling Ahead of Valentine's Day
- Balloon Safety Reminder: FirstEnergy is urging customers to handle helium-filled foil balloons safely during Valentine's Day to prevent outages caused by balloons hitting power lines, as such incidents typically increase during this holiday.
- Outage Statistics: Last year, foil balloons were responsible for 96 outages in FirstEnergy's service area, a 27% decrease from 132 outages in 2020, indicating the positive impact of community outreach efforts.
- Community Outreach Effectiveness: Chad Stoneking, Director of Safety Operations at FirstEnergy, emphasized that while balloons add fun to celebrations, loose balloons can cause serious issues, and community safety campaigns have effectively reduced balloon-related outages.
- Safety Celebration Tips: The company provides recommendations for safe balloon handling and has released a video on YouTube to raise public awareness about proper disposal, aiming to ensure safe celebrations during the holiday season.
See More
FirstEnergy Encourages Safe Balloon Handling Ahead of Valentine's Day
- Balloon-Related Outages: Last year, FirstEnergy experienced 96 power outages due to metallic balloons, a decrease from 132 in 2020, indicating the effectiveness of community outreach, yet vigilance is necessary during Valentine's Day to prevent outages.
- Regional Outage Statistics: Among service areas, JCP&L reported the highest balloon-related outages at 24, followed by Ohio Edison with 16 and Met-Ed with 12, highlighting varying levels of awareness regarding balloon safety across regions.
- Safety Handling Recommendations: FirstEnergy advises consumers to securely tie metallic balloons to a heavy weight and puncture them after use to prevent them from floating near electrical equipment, thereby reducing potential safety hazards.
- Community Safety Awareness: The Director of Safety Operations at FirstEnergy emphasizes that while balloons add fun to celebrations, improper handling can lead to serious consequences, making public education on safe balloon practices essential for community safety.
See More
FirstEnergy Upgrades New Jersey Power Grid for Reliability
- Grid Upgrade Initiative: FirstEnergy is undertaking significant upgrades to the power grid in northern Monmouth County, aimed at enhancing the reliability of the electric system, which is expected to benefit nearly 25,000 homes and businesses.
- Equipment Replacement: At the heart of the project is the replacement of equipment originally installed in the 1970s, which will improve the stability and safety of power supply by modernizing outdated facilities for more efficient service.
- Service Area Coverage: The upgrade work will cover towns such as Marlboro, Holmdel, Matawan, Aberdeen, and Middletown, strengthening the electrical infrastructure in these areas to meet the growing demand for electricity.
- Long-term Strategic Importance: Through this grid upgrade, FirstEnergy not only enhances service quality but also prepares for future electricity demand growth, further solidifying its competitive position in the New Jersey market.
See More
New Jersey Reliability Improvement Project Progresses
- Significant Progress: Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) has reached the halfway point of its $95 million Reliability Improvement Project, with over an 80% reduction in outages for customers in Morris and Monmouth counties in 2025, demonstrating the effectiveness of the investments.
- Infrastructure Upgrades: JCP&L is strengthening poles and wires, moving certain lines underground, and adding smart devices for faster detection and restoration of power, which is expected to significantly reduce both the frequency and duration of outages.
- Upcoming Projects: Three upgrade projects in Hunterdon, Southern Ocean, and Warren counties are set to be completed by year-end, improving reliability for nearly 10,000 customers and enhancing service quality.
- Long-term Investment Plan: The improvement project is part of FirstEnergy's Energize365 initiative, which plans to invest $28 billion between 2025 and 2029 to build a smarter, more resilient grid that meets the evolving needs of communities.
See More
New Jersey Power System Upgrades Significantly Reduce Outages
- Project Progress: Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) has reached the halfway point of its $95 million Reliability Improvement Project, which is expected to further enhance the stability and reliability of the electric system, thereby increasing customer satisfaction.
- Significant Reduction in Outages: In Morris and Monmouth counties, nearly 16,500 customers experienced over an 80% drop in outages in 2025 compared to the previous year, indicating that the upgrades have significantly improved power supply reliability.
- Customer Benefits: The upgrades to local power lines not only enhance the overall performance of the electric system but also strengthen JCP&L's service capabilities, thereby improving the company's competitive position in the market.
- Long-term Strategic Goals: The successful implementation of this project not only helps reduce outage events but also lays the groundwork for future investments in power infrastructure, ensuring the company remains a leader in the evolving energy market.
See More
FirstEnergy Declares 4.5% Increase in Quarterly Dividend
- Dividend Increase: FirstEnergy has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.465 per share, representing a 4.5% increase from the previous quarter, reflecting the company's successful execution of its strategy in investing in the reliability and resiliency of the electric system, with an expected total dividend of $1.86 per share in 2026, indicating confidence in future profitability.
- Strategic Execution: CEO Brian X. Tierney emphasized the significant progress made in business transformation over the past three years, enhancing the company's ability to deliver value to customers, communities, and investors, underscoring its leadership position in the electric utility sector.
- Market Coverage: As one of the largest investor-owned electric systems in the U.S., FirstEnergy serves over 6 million customers across multiple states including Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, highlighting its critical role in the energy market.
- Future Outlook: The company plans to maintain a core earnings payout ratio of 60-70% for dividends in 2026, demonstrating a balance between stable dividends and ongoing investments, aimed at addressing potential economic fluctuations and market challenges ahead.
See More
FirstEnergy Encourages Safe Balloon Handling Ahead of Valentine's Day
- Balloon Safety Reminder: FirstEnergy is urging customers to handle helium-filled foil balloons safely during Valentine's Day to prevent outages caused by balloons hitting power lines, as such incidents typically increase during this holiday.
- Outage Statistics: Last year, foil balloons were responsible for 96 outages in FirstEnergy's service area, a 27% decrease from 132 outages in 2020, indicating the positive impact of community outreach efforts.
- Community Outreach Effectiveness: Chad Stoneking, Director of Safety Operations at FirstEnergy, emphasized that while balloons add fun to celebrations, loose balloons can cause serious issues, and community safety campaigns have effectively reduced balloon-related outages.
- Safety Celebration Tips: The company provides recommendations for safe balloon handling and has released a video on YouTube to raise public awareness about proper disposal, aiming to ensure safe celebrations during the holiday season.
See More
FirstEnergy Encourages Safe Balloon Handling Ahead of Valentine's Day
- Balloon-Related Outages: Last year, FirstEnergy experienced 96 power outages due to metallic balloons, a decrease from 132 in 2020, indicating the effectiveness of community outreach, yet vigilance is necessary during Valentine's Day to prevent outages.
- Regional Outage Statistics: Among service areas, JCP&L reported the highest balloon-related outages at 24, followed by Ohio Edison with 16 and Met-Ed with 12, highlighting varying levels of awareness regarding balloon safety across regions.
- Safety Handling Recommendations: FirstEnergy advises consumers to securely tie metallic balloons to a heavy weight and puncture them after use to prevent them from floating near electrical equipment, thereby reducing potential safety hazards.
- Community Safety Awareness: The Director of Safety Operations at FirstEnergy emphasizes that while balloons add fun to celebrations, improper handling can lead to serious consequences, making public education on safe balloon practices essential for community safety.
See More
FirstEnergy Upgrades New Jersey Power Grid for Reliability
- Grid Upgrade Initiative: FirstEnergy is undertaking significant upgrades to the power grid in northern Monmouth County, aimed at enhancing the reliability of the electric system, which is expected to benefit nearly 25,000 homes and businesses.
- Equipment Replacement: At the heart of the project is the replacement of equipment originally installed in the 1970s, which will improve the stability and safety of power supply by modernizing outdated facilities for more efficient service.
- Service Area Coverage: The upgrade work will cover towns such as Marlboro, Holmdel, Matawan, Aberdeen, and Middletown, strengthening the electrical infrastructure in these areas to meet the growing demand for electricity.
- Long-term Strategic Importance: Through this grid upgrade, FirstEnergy not only enhances service quality but also prepares for future electricity demand growth, further solidifying its competitive position in the New Jersey market.
See More
