Indiana to receive $175 million for energy grid upgrades

Indiana will receive $175 million in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Energy’s SPARK grant program to upgrade the state’s electric transmission infrastructure. The investment is expected to cover approximately half of the total project costs.

The project focuses on improving existing transmission corridors, specifically targeting the “seam” where the PJM and MISO regional power grids meet. By utilizing technology such as reconductoring—replacing older wires with newer conductors—the state aims to increase electricity capacity and reduce congestion without the need for entirely new transmission lines.

Officials stated that these improvements are intended to meet rising electricity demands driven by new manufacturing facilities and data centers. The upgrades are projected to reduce congestion costs, potentially saving up to $150 million annually, while increasing grid reliability and affordability for households and businesses.