The US administration has allocated $3.46bn towards bolstering the electricity grid’s resilience to extreme weather events caused by climate change.
Provided under the president’s bipartisan infrastructure law, the investment is expected to support the delivery of affordable and clean electricity across the US.
The funding will facilitate 58 projects across 44 states. It will support the development of 35GW of new renewable projects and will be invested in 400 microgrids.
The US Department of Energy (DOE) stated that the present funding is the first round of selections under the broader $10.5bn Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) programme.
This programme will support grid upgrade activities to reduce impacts from natural disasters and extreme weather and increase the flexibility and reliability of the grid.
It is also focused on deploying more solar, wind and other clean energy projects, as well as using innovative approaches for electricity transmission, storage and distribution.
US Secretary of Energy Jennifer M Granholm stated: “Extreme weather events fuelled by climate change will continue to strain the nation’s ageing transmission systems, but President Biden’s Investing in America agenda will ensure America’s power grid can provide reliable, affordable power.
“Today’s announcement represents the largest-ever direct investment in critical grid infrastructure, supporting projects that will harden systems, and improve energy reliability and affordability — all while generating union jobs for highly skilled workers.”
The $3.46bn funding will initially support projects across the states of Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Oregon.
In November 2022, the DOE earmarked $13bn to expand and upgrade the country’s electricity grid.
It was the single largest direct federal investment in critical transmission, as well as in distribution infrastructure.
