Transmission Facilitation Program (TFP)
Federal Agency
Sub-Department
Office of Electricity (OE)
Purpose
To facilitate the construction of electric power transmission lines and related facilities; to provide loans to applicants attempting to construct or replace transmission lines, increase the capacity of existing transmission lines, or incorporate isolated grids into a larger transmission, telecommunications, or infrastructure network.
Applicant and/or Project Eligibility Requirements
Eligible electric power transmission lines must be greater than 1,000 MW for new lines, upgrades to existing lines (or new lines in existing corridors) must be greater than 500 MW. Eligible entities are any entities seeking to carry out an eligible project (see Other Notes).
Decarbonization Considerations
This program is aimed at facilitating transmission capacity expansion. DOE will enter into capacity contracts for transmission capacity (capped at 50% of line capacity and 40-year terms). These may be with third parties, for which a competitive solicitation must occur, or as public-private partnerships. Local governments interested in transmission capacity projects in order to integrate renewable energy or increase system resiliency may choose to participate either as a partner in a capacity contract, or in related planning activities.
Equity Considerations
See the "Equity Design Considerations for Federal Funding" for general considerations and additional sector-based resources: https://cityrenewables.org/resources/equity-design-considerations-for-federal-funding/
Helpful Tips
Eligible projects include: (A) to construct a new or replace an existing eligible electric power transmission line; (B) to increase the transmission capacity of an existing eligible electric power transmission line; or (C) to connect an isolated microgrid to an existing transmission, transportation, or telecommunications infrastructure corridor located in Alaska, Hawaii, or a territory of the United States.
Other Notes
Note that related facilities do not include generation facilities or facilities used to distribute electricity locally.