As part of its objective to upgrade US transmission infrastructure to better equip the nation for the challenges of climate change and diversified power outputs/inputs, including DERs and EVs, the Department of Energy plans to buy capacity on three transmission projects being developed by National Grid, Berkshire Hathaway, Grid United and their partners, improving transmission across six states, expanding access to cheap and reliable clean energy.
The projects were selected as part of a solicitation issued by DOE for access to the department’s Transmission Facilitation Program, a $2.5 billion revolving fund that was part of the bipartisan infrastructure law. The $1.3 billion in conditional commitments announced this week is the first tranche of funding being issued.
The initial projects selected by DOE are:
Cross-Tie 500kV Transmission Line (Nevada, Utah). Cross-Tie is a proposed 214-mile,1500 MW transmission line connecting existing transmission systems in Utah and Nevada to increase transmission capacity, improve grid reliability and resilience, relieve congestion on other key transmission lines, and expand access to low-cost renewable energy across the region.
Southline Transmission Project (Arizona, New Mexico). Southline is a proposed 175-mile, 748 MW transmission line from Hidalgo County, New Mexico to Pima County, Arizona that will help unlock renewable energy development in southern New Mexico and deliver clean energy to growing markets in Arizona that currently rely on fossil fuel generation.
Twin States Clean Energy Link (New Hampshire, Vermont). Twin States is a proposed 1,200 MW high-voltage direct current (HVDC) bidirectional line that will expand the capacity of the New England electric grid and improve its resiliency, reliability, and efficiency by providing access to clean firm energy supplies in Quebec, Canada. The bidirectional design of the Twin States line will also allow the New England grid to export power to Canada when New England is producing more energy than it needs to meet its own demand, which is expected to occur as the offshore wind industry in New England expands.
Construction could start on the Cross-Tie and Southline projects in 2025, with a planned operational date of 2027. National Grid could begin building the Twin States project in 2026 and bring it online in 2028.
“To realize the full benefit of the nation’s goal of 100% clean electricity by 2035, we need to more than double our grid capacity and President Biden’s Investing in America agenda puts us in position to do just that,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “This historic effort to strengthen the nation’s transmission will drive down costs for American families and deliver thousands of good paying jobs for American workers—helping communities keep the lights on in the face of climate change-induced extreme weather events.”