(Washington, D.C.)– Today, the Hawaiʻi congressional delegation applauded the news that the Department of Energy is awarding $3.5 billion in grants to 58 projects across 44 states to strengthen electric grid resilience and reliability across America, including $17.9 million to Hawaiʻi.
The Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program was a part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Program accelerates the deployment of transformative projects that will help to ensure the reliability of the power sector’s infrastructure, so that all communities have access to affordable, reliable, and clean electricity.
"Kaua‘i has been a leader in Hawai‘i when it comes to protecting ratepayers from energy disruptions and global market volatility,” said Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02). This funding allows Kaua‘i to now take it to the next level and be a national leader when it comes to meeting and exceeding our renewable energy goals and providing cleaner, locally produced energy and economic cost savings."
“As we work to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events, it’s important that communities across the islands are equipped with reliable, resilient energy infrastructure,” said Senator Hirono. “This funding will help strengthen the electrical grid in Hawaii and across the country, increasing access to affordable, renewable, and reliable electricity to better serve our communities.”
“Our landmark infrastructure law continues to deliver for Hawai‘i. This new money will improve Hawai‘i’s electrical infrastructure, making it safer, more reliable and resilient to climate change and extreme weather,” said Senator Schatz.
“Hawaii’s isolated islands, where we cannot exchange power across interconnected grids like the continent, make it critical for each island to develop its own unique energy generation and distribution systems based on its own needs and resources”, said Congressman Ed Case (HI-01). “Federal demonstration and development grants like these are just what Congress’ Bipartisan Infrastructure Law intended to assist next-generation energy systems to fit different circumstances around our country.”
Among the awards, the Hawaiʻi Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism will receive $16.3 million to utilize solar grid forming technology and $1.7 million to enable high penetration renewables with Synchronous Condenser Conversion Technology.
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