The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a $2.2bn investment to modernise the nation’s power grid.

This initiative, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) programme, will support eight key projects spanning 18 states.

The investment aims to strengthen grid resilience against extreme weather, cut community energy costs and expand capacity for growing manufacturing and data centres.

The strategic deployment of new transmission infrastructure and technological upgrades will catalyse $10bn in additional public and private investment.

The comprehensive upgrade will increase the grid's capacity by 13GW, including 4,800MW of offshore wind power.

Among the beneficiaries, the North Plains Connector Interregional Innovation Consortium has been awarded a substantial grant of $700m.

This investment will support the development of the North Plains Connector, a pivotal project designed to link the eastern and western US electric grids with a 415-mile, 525kV high voltage direct current transmission line across Montana and North Dakota.

The infrastructure will be able to transport power in either direction, enhancing the grid's adaptability and reliability.

In addition to the North Plains Connector, the New York Power Authority has secured $30m for its Transforming the Empire State: Clean Path New York project.

US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said: “The first half of 2024 has already broken records for the hottest days in Earth’s history, and as extreme weather continues to hit every part of the country, we must act with urgency to strengthen our ageing grid to protect American communities.

“The Biden-Harris Administration is investing in the most crucial component of the nation’s infrastructure, expanding and hardening the grid to allow more resilient, clean power to reach more households, and support the ongoing manufacturing boom — all while creating thousands of local jobs.”