CenterPoint Energy has secured $50 million from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to strengthen grid resiliency and reliability across the Houston region.
The funding is part of DOE’s Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades (SPARK) initiative, which is investing $1.9 billion in 31 grid improvement projects across the nation.
Recipients are expected to rebuild or upgrade more than 1,500 miles of transmission lines and deploy grid-enhancing technology across nearly 21,000 miles. The DOE says the improvements will make more than 23 gigawatts of additional electricity capacity available.
“This selection is historic for our region, and it will directly fund industry-leading technology improvements that are expected to strengthen resiliency, reliability and meet the growing energy needs of our region,” said Jason Ryan, CenterPoint Energy’s Executive Vice President, Regulatory Services & Government Affairs, in a news release.
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Advanced Technology to Support Growing Energy Demand
Through Project TALON, or Transmission Area Load Optimization Node, CenterPoint will become one of the first utilities in the nation to install Siemens Energy’s transmission grid stabilizing technology.
The technology can respond quickly to changes in electricity demand, helping maintain reliable service, strengthen the grid during periods of high demand, and increase capacity to support future energy needs and economic growth. The project is also expected to create more than 500 local jobs during construction and installation.
Strengthening Regional Resilience
The project builds on a series of investments CenterPoint has made through its Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative, launched in 2024 to harden the region’s electric system against extreme weather.
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These efforts also align with the Greater Houston Partnership’s work to make Houston one of the most resilient coastal regions. Through its Resilience Advisory Group, the Partnership works with CenterPoint and other organizations that own, operate and rely on critical infrastructure to identify vulnerabilities, strengthen coordination and improve how regional systems withstand and recover from disruptions.
Learn more about the Partnership’s regional resilience work.
