Duke Energy was selected to receive $50 million from the U.S. Department of Energy, the utility company announced Sept. 24.
The award funding comes from DOE’s Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades (SPARK) program.
Duke Energy plans to use the funding to strengthen grid reliability and complete infrastructure improvements in growing communities across the Carolinas. The targeted high-growth areas in South Carolina include Greenville County and Spartanburg County.
“Strengthening the grid requires targeted investments that improve reliability and help ensure our system is ready to meet customers’ evolving energy needs in a cost-effective manner,” said Scott Batson, executive vice president and chief power grid officer for Duke Energy.
Transmission improvements will also be completed in Henderson County and Polk County in North Carolina.
Duke Energy plans to use grid-enhancing technologies and advanced transmission technologies to increase the capacity of its existing transmission system. This will allow the utility company to deliver more power to homes and businesses across its service area.
The $50 million will offset a portion of the projected costs for the advanced transmission upgrades. This will also reduce the amount that Duke Energy customers would otherwise have to cover.
For more information, visit duke-energy.com/home.
