US grid-upgrade program aims to unlock at least 23 GW of capacity

A $5.25 billion program for 31 projects in 26 states

According to The Register, the Department of Energy announced $5.25 billion for grid improvements under its SPARK initiative, with $1.9 billion in federal funding and $3.35 billion in cost-share funding.

The program spans 31 projects in 26 states. It is intended to reconductor or rebuild more than 1,500 miles of transmission lines and deploy sensors, power-flow controls, and analytical tools across 21,000 miles of grid infrastructure.

The supplied report does not provide a like-for-like baseline for transmission capacity before these projects. It says the work is intended to gain capacity from existing grid infrastructure rather than add new generation.

The reported SPARK program would support 31 projects in 26 states with $5.25 billion in total funding, including $1.9 billion in federal funds, aiming to unlock at least 23 GW of additional transmission capacity.

Usable transmission capacity rather than new generation

The reported program focuses on increasing the usable capacity of existing transmission infrastructure. Its stated target is at least 23 GW of additional capacity without bringing new generation capacity online.