By Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced that the U.S. Department of Energy (U.S. DOE) has awarded Ohio a $273 million grant to update Ohio’s existing high-voltage electric infrastructure via the Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades (SPARK) initiative.
“Upgrading existing infrastructure makes sense, and this grant opportunity allows us to do that,” said Governor DeWine. “Ohio, like much of the country, is facing increasing electricity demand over the next decade. Thank you to the Trump Administration and Secretary Chris Wright for this funding that will help Ohio meet the needs of our businesses and our citizens.”
As part of the total grant award, Governor DeWine announced $137 million is being allocated to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to work with transmission utilities to implement advanced transmission technologies to increase the capacity of the transmission grid, allowing it to carry more energy, rather than build new infrastructure.
PUCO identified that upgrades made from this grant can add the equivalent of 5,820 megawatts of capacity to the grid, effectively displacing the need to build additional power plants or transmission lines.
“As Ohio and the nation work to restore traditional domestic manufacturing and bring large loads onto the system, we need a strong and robust energy grid,” said PUCO Chair Jenifer French. “We are so appreciative of the funding from the U.S. DOE that will allow Ohio to deploy advanced transmission technologies, ensuring that we responsibly and affordably enhance the grid.”
Ohio has laid the groundwork for deploying advanced transmission technologies through the enactment of House Bill 15 in 2025. The PUCO published a report on opportunities from advanced transmission technologies.
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