Energy Department Launches Speed to Power Initiative, Accelerating Large-Scale Grid Infrastructure Projects

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced today the Speed to Power initiative, to accelerate the speed of large-scale grid infrastructure project development for both transmission and generation. The Speed to Power initiative will help ensure the United States has the power needed to win the global artificial intelligence (AI) race while continuing to meet growing demand for affordable, reliable and secure energy. DOE analysis shows that the current rate of project development is inadequate to support the country’s rapidly expanding manufacturing needs and the reindustrialization of the U.S. economy. DOE is committed to collaborating with stakeholders to identify large-scale grid infrastructure projects that can bring speed to power and overcome the complex challenges facing the grid.  
 
“In the coming years, Americans will require more energy to power their homes and businesses – and with President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Energy is ensuring we can meet this growing demand while fueling AI and data center development with affordable, reliable and secure sources,” said Energy Secretary Chris Wright. “With the Speed to Power initiative, we’re leveraging the expertise of the private sector to harness all forms of energy that are affordable, reliable and secure to ensure the United States is able to win the AI race.”  
 
To kickstart the Speed to Power initiative, DOE is issuing a Request for Information focused on large-scale grid infrastructure projects, both transmission and generation, that can accelerate the United States speed to power. This includes input on near-term investment opportunities, project readiness, load growth expectations, and infrastructure constraints that DOE can address. The DOE is requesting stakeholder input on how to best leverage its funding programs and authorities to rapidly expand energy generation and transmission grid capacity. 
 
President Trump’s Executive Order, Declaring a National Energy Emergency, signed on his first day in office asserted that the integrity and expansion of our Nation’s energy infrastructure is an immediate and pressing priority for the protection of the United States’ national and economic security. In accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order, Strengthening the Reliability and Security of the United States Electric Grid, DOE released the Report on Evaluating U.S. Grid Reliability and Security delivering a uniform methodology to identify at-risk regions and guide Federal reliability interventions. In this report, DOE warned that blackouts could increase by 100 times by 2030 if the U.S. continues to shutter reliable power sources and fails to add additional firm capacity. The Speed to Power initiative supports President Trump’s Executive Orders, Unleashing American Energy and Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence, to inform how Federal resources will be maximized to ensure state and local governments, utilities, grid operators, large load customers, and other stakeholders address grid infrastructure constraints and meet new demand in a timely and efficient manner.