DOE Issues RFI on Expanding Grid Capacity

The U.S. Department of Energy has announced a new ‘Speed to Power’ initiative to accelerate the development of large-scale grid infrastructure projects for both transmission and generation. The effort is part of the Trump Administration’s crosscutting efforts to “win the global artificial intelligence (AI) race while continuing to meet growing demand for affordable, reliable and secure energy.” 

A DOE analysis from July 2025 shows that the current rate of project development is inadequate to support rapidly expanding power demand in the U.S. Projected electricity demand from data centers, advanced manufacturing facilities, semiconductor fabrication plants, and other large energy users could soon exceed the capacity of the existing electric grid. 

The Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking public input via a request for information (RFI) to state energy offices, public utility commissions, electric utilities, regional transmission organizations and independent system operators, transmission and generation developers, large energy users, and other stakeholders on large-scale generation, transmission, and grid infrastructure projects that can accelerate speed to power to support manufacturing, industrial, and artificial intelligence/data center electricity demand growth. 

In addition, the DOE is requesting stakeholder input on ways the DOE can support a rapid expansion of energy generation and transmission grid capacity to meet electricity demand growth across the country in a reliable and affordable manner. Responses to the RFI must be received by 5:00 pm (ET) on November 21, 2025. 

Read the DOE’s full announcement at: https://www.energy.gov/articles/energy-department-launches-speed-power-initiative-accelerating-large-scale-grid