Billions coming for grid modernization, renewables

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced that the Department of Energy will provide up to $30 billion in loan guarantees, depending on the applications and market conditions, for renewable energy projects.

Another $750 million will support several billion dollars more in loan guarantees for projects that increase the reliability, efficiency and security of the nationÂ’s transmission system. The two new loan guarantee solicitations announced today are being funded partly through the Recovery Act and partly through 2009 appropriations.

“These investments will be used to create jobs, spur the development of innovative clean energy technologies, and help ensure a smart, strong and secure grid that will deliver renewable power more effectively and reliably,” said Secretary Chu. “This administration has set a goal of doubling renewable electricity generation over the next three years. To achieve that goal, we need to accelerate renewable project development by ensuring access to capital for advanced technology projects. We also need a grid that can move clean energy from the places it can be produced to the places where it can be used and that can integrate variable sources of power, like wind and solar.”

The lending authority includes:

• Up to $8.5 billion in lending authority supported by 2009 annual appropriations for renewable energy;

• Up to $2 billion in subsidy costs, provided by the Recovery Act, to support billions in loans for renewable energy and electric power transmission projects;

• Up to $500 million in subsidy costs to support loans for cutting edge biofuel projects funded by the Recovery Act;

• Up to $750 million in subsidy costs, provided by the Recovery Act, to support loans for large transmission infrastructure projects in the U.S. that use commercial technologies and begin construction by September 30, 2011.

The two solicitations issued today mark the sixth and seventh rounds of solicitations by the DepartmentÂ’s Loan Guarantee Program, which encourages the commercial use of new or improved energy technologies to help foster clean energy projects.

Applications will be accepted over the next 45 days.