COLUMBUS — Ohio is set to receive a $273 million federal grant to modernize its electric grid, with more than half of the money aimed at expanding transmission capacity.
The grant comes from the U.S. Department of Energy’s SPARK initiative, which is sending $5.25 billion to 31 projects across 26 states to improve grid reliability and lower electricity costs for about 100 million Americans. Gov. Mike DeWine announced Ohio’s share in a media release.
Of Ohio’s total, $137 million will go to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to work with transmission utilities on advanced technologies that increase grid capacity. PUCO says the upgrades would add the equivalent of 5,820 megawatts of capacity — enough to eliminate the need for new power plants and transmission lines.
“Upgrading existing infrastructure makes sense, and this grant opportunity allows us to do that,” DeWine said, thanking the Trump administration and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. “Ohio, like much of the country, is facing increasing electricity demand over the next decade.” PUCO Chair Jenifer French said a strong grid is essential as Ohio restores domestic manufacturing and adds large power loads.
