OUC has been selected for a $12.97 million Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades (SPARK) Grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), supporting a major transmission infrastructure project designed to enhance grid reliability and meet growing energy demand across Central Florida. The award was presented by Audrey Robertson, Assistant Secretary for the Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation with the U.S. Department of Energy, on Thursday, September 24.
“This investment reflects OUC’s commitment to ensuring reliable, future‑ready service for our customers,” said Orlando Alancastro, Vice President of Transmission. “We began working on this request more than two years under the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships grants program, and we’re honored to receive DOE’s support on a project that strengthens energy resilience in Central Florida.
Orlando Alancastro, Vice President of Transmission, speaks about the new grant during a recent press conference at OUC’s Pershing Operations Center.
The grant will help advance OUC’s planned installation of a new 115kV transmission line connecting the Southwood Substation to the Turkey Lake Substation, a critical upgrade identified by OUC’s System Planning & Reliability Engineering Division. As Orlando and surrounding communities continue to grow, this project will provide essential capacity, increased reliability, and additional transfer capabilities for OUC’s bulk electric system.
The new line will span three miles, constructed on new structures along an existing transmission corridor. The expansion will help ensure OUC can reliably support projected load growth and maintain system resilience during peak demand periods.
The DOE SPARK Grant program aims to accelerate modernization of grid assets, improve energy reliability, and support critical mineral and energy innovation efforts nationwide. With this award, OUC continues to advance its long‑term infrastructure strategy while delivering exceptional value to the customers and communities it serves.
“This grant is about collaboration. Federal and local government and industry coming together to support smarter, stronger, and more resilient infrastructure for the customers and communities we serve,” said Linda Landman Gonzalez, OUC Commission President.
