Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades (SPARK)
Office: Office of Electricity
NOFO number: DE-FOA-0003580
FOA Amount: Approximately $1.9 billion
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity (OE) announced its intention to help fund 31 grid-improvement projects across 26 states as part of the Department’s SPARK initiative. The projects will receive $5.25 billion in total, $1.9 billion in federal funding from DOE and $3.35 billion in recipient cost-share funding, to improve grid reliability and lower electricity costs for approximately 100 million Americans. Project recipients are expected to reconductor or rebuild more than 1,500 miles of transmission lines and deploy Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs) across nearly 21,000 miles. Together, these efforts will make over 23 gigawatts of additional electricity capacity available.
The selections were made from OE’s Notice of Funding Opportunity announcement for an approximate $1.9 billion to catalyze electricity infrastructure investments to meet electricity demand growth and resource adequacy requirements, while reducing costs for American households and businesses. Funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program was authorized to provide 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. To provide clarity with the program’s updated emphasis, this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) was renamed to Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades (SPARK).
Successful applications highlighted how reconductoring and other Advanced Transmission Technologies (ATTs), as complementary technologies, expand transfer capability, strengthen reliability and resource adequacy, and reduce consumer cost impact while utilizing existing rights of way. DOE prioritized projects that could be implemented quickly to deliver durable physical upgrades and dynamic operation gains that together increase the value, performance, security, resilience, affordability, and reliability of the nation’s electric grid.
The kinds of projects OE prioritized included:
- Reconductoring with advanced conductors.
- Advanced Transmission Technologies that can increase the usable capacity of existing assets in real time.
- Large-scale, cross-regional transmission upgrades and coordinated planning.
Topic Areas
Topic Area 1: Grid Resilience This topic area supported projects that strengthen grid reliability and resilience through reconductoring and deploying other ATTs. These projects must expand the transfer capacity of existing transmission or sub-transmission, improve system flexibility, and reduce the likelihood and consequences of disruptive events.
Topic Area 2: Smart Grid This topic area supported projects focused on deploying advanced grid technologies, which may include new devices, materials, engineering designs, or software tools. These projects must enhance the efficiency, reliability, and operational flexibility of the electric grid through smart grid technologies that enable real-time monitoring, control, and optimization of grid assets.
Topic Area 3: Grid Innovation Program This topic area supported high-impact, innovative projects that enhance grid reliability and resilience, with a focus on transmission systems that facilitate development of new large loads. This topic prioritizes large-scale, multi-jurisdictional demonstrations aimed at expanding transfer capability between transmission planning regions.
Who Could Apply
The following domestic entities were eligible to participate as recipients of the NOFO:
Topic Area 1: Grid Resilience
- Electric grid operators
- Electricity storage operators
- Electricity generators
- Transmission owners or operators
- Distribution providers
- Fuel suppliers
Topic Area 2: Smart Grid
- Institutions of higher education
- For-profit organizations
- Non-profit organizations
- State and local government entities
- Indian tribes
Topic Area 3: Grid Innovation Program
- States
- A combination of two or more states
- Indian tribes
- Units of local government
- Public utility commissions
Key Dates
| NOFO Issue Date | February 25, 2026 | | Informational Webinar | March 4, 2026 | | Concept Paper Deadline | March 18, 2026 | | Application Deadline | May 5, 2026 | | DOE Notification Selections | September 2026 | | Expected Award Date | October 2026 – January 2027 |
Additional Information
- Speed to Power: Stakeholder Input and DOE Actions
- Energy Department Announces Speed to Power Investments Across 26 States to Lower Electricity Costs and Improve Grid Reliability
- Download the full notice of funding opportunity on Infrastructure eXCHANGE
- For specific questions on SPARK, please contact DE-FOA-0003580@netl.doe.gov
- Watch the March webinar recording
- View the March webinar slides
- Watch the April concept paper feedback webinar
- View the April webinar slides