The U.S. Department of Energy said Thursday it will provide $1.9 billion to support 31 grid-improvement projects expected to add 23 gigawatts of transmission capacity. The funding comes from the SPARK program, created under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and targets upgrades that can be completed faster than building new transmission corridors.
Instead of constructing new lines, the selected projects will focus on reconductoring or rebuilding more than 1,500 miles of existing transmission and applying grid-enhancing technologies across nearly 21,000 miles. DOE said this approach maximizes existing rights-of-way, eases congestion bottlenecks, and avoids expensive greenfield construction. Project sponsors are expected to contribute about $3.4 billion, bringing total investment to $5.3 billion.
Among the selected utilities are Alabama Power, Duke Energy Carolinas, Eversource Energy, Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, and PPL Electric. At least two projects are designed to improve the limited electricity exchange between the Eastern and Western interconnections. The Colorado Energy Office is sponsoring a $1.2 billion project, while Oklahoma's Office of Management and Enterprise Services is leading the $832 million "Three Corners Connection" to create a high-capacity link between the Southwest Power Pool and the Western Electricity Coordinating Council.