US DOE allocates USD 2.2bn to 8 grid improvement projects

The US Department of Energy (DOE) on Tuesday announced USD 2.2 billion (EUR 2bn) of grid investments across eight projects spanning 18 states, which are expected to add almost 13 GW of grid capacity, including 4.8 GW of offshore wind.

The projects, representing a combined public and private of almost USD 10 billion, will deploy new transmission infrastructure and technology upgrades with the aim of protecting against extreme weather, lowering costs for communities and preparing for growing demand from an increase in manufacturing and data centres.

The funds come from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s USD-10.5-billion Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Programme, which in October 2023 allocated up to USD 3.46 billion.

The New England states’ Power Up New England project will receive USD 389 million. The project includes upgrades to points of interconnection in Southeast Massachusetts and Southeast Connecticut to prepare the onshore transmission system for up to 4.8 GW of additional offshore wind.

The selected projects also include two projects for the deployment of new transmission lines -- Clean Path New York, led by New York Power Authority, and North Plains Connector, led by Montana Department of Commerce. The two lines will boost grid capacity by about 4.3 GW.

“The Biden-Harris Administration is investing in the most crucial component of the nation’s infrastructure, expanding and hardening the grid to allow more resilient, clean power to reach more household, and support the ongoing manufacturing boom—all while creating thousands of local jobs,” commented US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm.

(USD 1 = EUR 0.916)

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