The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity (OE) on March 12 announced an approximately $1.9 billion funding opportunity “to accelerate urgently needed upgrades to the nation’s power grid.”
Selected projects will demonstrate how reconductoring -- replacing existing power lines with higher capacity conductors -- paired with other Advanced Transmission Technologies (ATTs) can expand grid capacity, increase operational efficiency, lower prices for consumers, and improve overall system reliability and security of the nation’s electric grid, DOE said.
The SPARK opportunity builds on the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program, which provided up to $10.5 billion in competitive funding over five years to states, tribes, electric utilities, and other eligible recipients to strengthen grid resilience and innovation.
The previous two GRIP funding rounds covered FY 2022-2023 and FY 2023-2024 funding. Today’s announcement continues the mission of the GRIP Program under the SPARK funding opportunity, focusing on the rapid deployment of reconductoring and other ATTs that expand transfer capability, strengthen reliability and resource adequacy, and reduce costs for consumers, all while making use of existing rights of way.
Concept papers are due April 1, 2026, and full applications are due May 19, 2026. DOE anticipates making selections in the summer of 2026. An informational webinar will be posted on the OE website by March 18, 2026.
