The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced that it will award $389 million to the Power Up New England proposal. This project, which was selected in the second round of the competitive Grid Innovation Program, will significantly enhance the region’s electric infrastructure.

Infrastructure Upgrades

Power Up will focus on crucial infrastructure improvements, such as upgrading interconnection points in Southeast Massachusetts and Southeast Connecticut. These upgrades will prepare the onshore transmission system to integrate up to 4,800 megawatts of offshore wind energy. Additionally, Northern Maine will see the installation of a cutting-edge battery energy storage system capable of providing carbon-free electricity for up to 100 hours. This system aims to enhance grid reliability, especially during extended cold weather periods, and reduce costs for ratepayers.

Governor Maura Healey of Massachusetts commented, “Massachusetts is moving full speed ahead on clean energy and climatetech. These game-changing federal funds will mean more jobs, lower energy costs for families and businesses, and cleaner air for all. We’re grateful to DOE for the recognition and support.”

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll added, “Power Up is a big win for electric customers and continues the momentum of federal partnership and regional collaboration here in New England. These funds will address significant challenges in establishing the offshore wind industry in Massachusetts. We’re proud to see our aggressive federal funding strategy pay off.”

Community Benefits and Regional Impact

The Power Up initiative also includes a robust Community Benefits Plan to ensure that disadvantaged communities in the region benefit from these investments. This plan will provide over $9 million in scholarships and internships, create nearly 500 high-quality jobs, and contribute more than $18 million to community benefits.

Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper noted, “With Power Up, we are transforming the way we integrate offshore wind into our grid. The DOE’s funding announcement is the culmination of recent developments in regional transmission policy. We thank the Biden-Harris Administration for this transformational investment in Massachusetts’ clean energy future and New England’s shared power grid.”

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont submitted the Power Up proposal in April 2024. The project was supported by developers Form Energy, Eversource Energy, and National Grid. It was selected as part of the DOE’s Grid Innovation Program, which is administered through the $10.5 billion Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program.

“This Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding will help us expand our clean energy use, modernize our electric grid, and create good-paying jobs,” said Quentin Palfrey, Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure. “We are grateful to Secretary Granholm and the Biden-Harris administration for this investment, which will advance our clean energy goals and support a more resilient grid.”