DOE Launches "Speed to Power" for Rapid Grid Infrastructure Growth

U.S. Department of Energy Launches Initiative to Expedite Grid Development

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has initiated the Speed to Power initiative, aimed at accelerating the development of large-scale grid infrastructure projects. This move seeks to equip the nation with the necessary power to excel in the global artificial intelligence arena while fulfilling the increasing demand for energy that is both affordable and reliable. A DOE analysis reveals that the current project progression pace is insufficient to support the expanding manufacturing sector and the reindustrialization efforts of the U.S. economy. The DOE’s strategy involves collaborating with stakeholders to identify significant grid projects that can expedite power delivery and address the complex challenges currently posed to the grid.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright commented, “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.” Through this initiative, the DOE intends to harness private sector expertise to utilize diverse energy forms that ensure the U.S. gains a competitive edge in the AI sector.

To kickstart this initiative, DOE has issued a Request for Information that focuses on identifying large-scale grid projects capable of speeding up the nation’s power capabilities. This request includes seeking feedback on investment opportunities, project readiness levels, expected load growth, and current infrastructure challenges that need addressing.

A framework for this initiative was laid out by President Trump’s Executive Order on Declaring a National Energy Emergency which underscores the critical nature of enhancing and expanding the nation's energy infrastructure for national and economic security. Further addressing this, the DOE released a report titled Evaluating U.S. Grid Reliability and Security, warning of a significant potential increase in blackouts by 2030 if the nation continues decommissioning reliable power sources without adding sufficient capacity.

The Speed to Power initiative aligns with other Executive Orders such as Unleashing American Energy and Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence. These orders guide how federal resources will be used to enable state and local governments, utilities, grid operators, and other stakeholders to adequately meet the growing energy demands efficiently.