U.S. Department of Energy funds nuclear and battery projects

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced significant funding to support energy infrastructure and grid stability. In California, the DOE awarded Pacific Gas and Electric $271 million through the Civil Nuclear Credit Program to support the extended operations of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant. The funding aims to preserve the plant’s role in providing nearly ten percent of California’s power generation following a 20-year license extension approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

In Puerto Rico, the DOE finalized a nearly $490 million loan to a subsidiary of Pattern Energy to develop two battery storage systems totaling 220 megawatts in Arecibo and Santa Isabel. These systems are intended to provide backup electricity for over 100,000 customers during power shortages. While a previous administration had considered including solar components in this financing, the current administration’s restructured loan focuses on battery storage and potential natural gas-fired generation to bolster the territory’s fragile electric grid.